Methods and systems for data interchange

ABSTRACT

A method for data interchange includes summing up data associated with an electronic document to provide summed up data, representing the summed up data as one or more bar codes, and returning the one or more bar codes for display and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video display or a printed version of the one or more bar codes. The electronic document may be of any number of formats. The summing up may include taking data from multiple information fields to create the summed up data. The data may include data tags or a step of adding data tags to the data to assist in data interchange may be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/015,635 filed on Dec. 17, 2004 which is a CIP of application Ser. No.10/847,994 filed May 18, 2004 which is CIP of application Ser. No.10/158,718 filed May 30, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,009).

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.10/874,794 filed on May 18, 2004 which is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 10/158,718 filed May 30, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,009),which is a non-provisional of provisional application No. 60/294,375filed May 30, 2001.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/532,557 filed on Sep. 18, 2006 which is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 11/325,713 filed Jan. 5, 2006 (now issued U.S. Pat. No.7,118,040), which is a CIP of application Ser. No. 09/753,863 filed Jan.3, 2001 which claims benefit of 60/232,825 filed on Sep. 15, 2000 andclaims benefit of 60/213,843 filed on Jun. 23, 2000 and claims benefitof 60/174,220 filed on Jun. 3, 2000.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/325,713 filed May 5, 2006 which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 09/753,863 filed on Jan. 3, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,103) whichclaims benefit of 60/232,825 filed Sep. 15, 2000 and claims benefit of60/213,843 filed on Jun. 23, 2000 and claims benefit of 60/174,220 filedon Jan. 3, 2000.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/131,853 filed on May 18, 2005 and claims benefit to application No.60/572,140 filed on May 18, 2004.

This application is a non-provisional of 60/727,605 filed Oct. 18, 2005.

This application is a non-provisional of 60/813,899 filed Jun. 15, 2006.

This application is a non-provisional of 60/834,523 filed Aug. 1, 2006.

All applications listed above are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to data interchange technology,and more particularly, though not exclusively, to a method and apparatusfor inputting tagged or un-tagged data into electronic documents(e-forms), summing up data in the electronic document, or in a linkedand separate document or file as one or more 1D and/or 2D bar codesready for use in data interchange.

2. Problems in the Art

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the application-to-applicationelectronic exchange of business data found in invoices, purchase ordersand dozens of other business transactions. Data destined for EDItransmission is initially entered into a computer, usually by a keyboardor through an Auto ID system using bar codes, radio frequencyidentification (RFID), magnetic stripe; optical character recognition(OCR), etc.

EDI reduces lead times and inventory levels, improves bidirectionalinformation accuracy, reduces management costs and improves the qualityof products and services.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between different softwareapplications running on disparate computer operating systems is not easyto accomplish. Currently, EDI has a relatively low adoption level, andis limited mainly to large companies. Standards for EDI are still underdiscussion and are expected to evolve slowly. As a result, users musthave applications that can extract data from internal systems, formatthis data into EDI transaction sets, and partners must be capable ofusing these formats. Accomplishing this generally requires negotiationto determine the level of interaction between the parties exchanginginformation, security, and issues like timing of communications.

Currently, custom EDI applications use sophisticated computer softwaresuch as IBM DB2, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or other programs,commonly referred to as middleware, in computer to computer datainterchange applications. This middleware is expensive and requires atrained computer programmer to establish and maintain the data transferlinks. Furthermore, middleware is not flexible. As business tradingpartners and suppliers change, and/or the format of data storage ismodified in a host computer, the service of a trained computerprogrammer is required to maintain the data interchange capabilities. Itis therefore desirable to minimize the amount of middleware softwarerequired.

Major retailers such as Sears, Wal-Mart, and Dayton Hudson have all butexcluded small suppliers due to their EDI requirements. Small companiesthat do not possess the infrastructure and/or volume to justify EDIinvestments have essentially been excluded by major companies as tradingpartners. This has raised an interesting dilemma for business: whetherto allow system constraints to drive business practices or to allowbusiness practices to drive systems.

Bar codes were first introduced in the United States in the late 1960s.Bar code technology allows almost any data to be collected rapidly andwith almost perfect accuracy. Bar code technology provides a simple andeasy method of data collection by encoding text information that iseasily read by many different stationary, and/or inexpensive hand heldelectronic devices. Bar codes have become the standard method ofidentification, processing, and management used universally throughoutthe manufacturing, retail, and distribution industries. While theutilization of this technology has been limited to printed media,similar needs exist for capturing, storing, and interchanging data usinga digital medium.

The age of the Internet, along with an increasing dependence on externalbusiness partners for sales and marketing, distribution and processinghave given rise to complex issues surrounding information storage,retrieval, and exchange. These issues are compounded by the lack of anefficient, universal means by which to exchange data across disparateplatforms and operating systems used in business today.

While there are obvious reasons to maintain a closed network/system(virtual private network) for operational and proprietary purposes,these same systems limit flexibility in the universal exchange of data.Further complicating this issue is the integration of new suppliers,customers, service providers and distributors into these networks, wherethe convergence of data is critical.

Legacy systems have historically posed challenges for organizations,being both expensive and inefficient for data migration. Draftingcomplex software solutions for conversions has been and will continue tobe an ongoing obstacle. In the convergence process, hardwareincompatibilities may also create unique considerations.

One of the largest challenges companies face today is addressing theirtechnology needs to enable business-to-business (B2B) andbusiness-to-consumer (B2C) initiatives. Traditional electronic datainterchange (EDI) methods have been largely unaffordable and have leftmost companies on the sidelines due to the costs associated with suchsystems. Yet, according to a recent Jupiter Research Report, 70% ofcompanies rank “moving online” as their top priority going forward.System Integrators (SI's) have been aggressively developing commercialapplications to address these needs, however research analysts agreethat most of these efforts are too expensive and lack the flexibilitynecessary to enable broad based alternatives to Web EDI.

The underlying problem will continue to be how to deal with hundreds ofdifferent data standards, platforms, and operating systems. Some of themost basic aspects of enabling electronic commerce are data capture,integration, and personalization capabilities. These considerations,along with the ongoing needs associated with access to data, anywhere,and at anytime, have resulted in a proliferation of new techniques anddevices to satisfy these needs. While considerable advancements havebeen made in this regard, barriers continue to exist that limit theuniversal access and exchange of information.

B2B and B2C electronic commerce is predicated on sophisticatedmiddle-ware, third-party administrators and in some cases the physicalre-entry of information. Sophisticated computer software such as IBMDB2, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, referred to as middle-ware, isrequired for computer-to-computer data interchange applications. Thesetechniques are both expensive, lack flexibility and subject toconsiderable human error.

Another form of EDI is Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Thistechnology has been employed to speed the collection of human readabledata, in the form of handwriting, from scanned paper forms. Even thoughOCR speeds the data collection process, it is still an expensive methoddue to the error-checking required to insure that correct data has beencaptured and input. Also, OCR is limited in its ability to be a widelyadopted EDI technology.

Optical character recognition (OCR) was one of the earliest Auto IDtechnologies used in retail applications in the mid-1980's. Today, OCRis currently part of resurgence because of improved reading equipmentthat is much more accurate, and recognizes a wider range of type stylesthan earlier equipment.

OCR is typically used to read selected areas of text (as opposed to textrecognition software that process full pages of text). OCR is bothhuman- and machine-readable and suited for use with account numbers orshort data strings.

OCR readers scan the data in much the same way bar code scanners do:either by moving the document past the scanner or moving the scannerover the document. The scan produces a “picture” of the text that isthen analyzed for characteristic features. Features are then matched tospecific letters or numbers for output.

It should be noted that OCR readers do not work the same way as visionsystems do. The equipment for text string scanning is much simpler andless expensive that vision systems or text scanners.

Another OCR technology is magnetic ink character recognition (MICR).MICR like OCR has a narrow range of usefulness as an EDI system that canbe widely adopted.

Another OCR technology is intelligent character recognition (ICR). ICRis the intelligent recognition of non-OCR font characters, andhand-printed characters. ICR like OCR and MICR has a narrow range ofusefulness as an EDI system that can be widely adopted.

Wireless devices in the form of cellular phones, PDA's, pager's, etc.have equipped consumers with additional functionality; however barriershave become more complex between such devices and their variousoperating platforms and software applications. In addition, thesedevices do not provide for an easy-to-use, two-way interactive means bywhich to access and interchange data.

To achieve the desired flexibility and speed in capturing, storing, andinterchanging data, businesses and consumers continue to deal withincreasingly complex integration issues with management informationsystems.

Some of these issues have recently been solved by leveraging the provenability of bar codes as an easy, point-of-use method for capturing andexchanging data, where computing devices may share the same data sourcesseamlessly and easily. More importantly, these methods enable small tomedium size companies with electronic commerce capabilities without theneed to build infrastructure, or to develop sophisticated middle-waresolutions.

Another form of EDI that is becoming more prevalent is eXtensible MarkupLanguage (XML). XML is an open standard that is a subset of SGML(Standardized General Markup Language). XML was developed to overcomethe shortcomings of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) which much of thedata on the Internet is tagged in. One of the shortcomings of XML isboth ends of the EDI transaction must support the import and export ofXML documents. XML is neither easy nor cheap to implement. To use XMLefficiently, it is not simply a matter of adding XML to existingsoftware processes, but instead will require re-engineering. The mostdifficult problem which restricts easy and widespread XMLimplementations is the ability to easily interface data into a legacysystem via an Internet web browser.

Many large businesses have positioned themselves to conduct businessonline, but due to the costs and complexity associated with electroniccommerce, their vendors have not been quick to follow. Given the costsavings benefits of on-line businesses, these companies will be morewilling to find new suppliers and trading partners online rather than bytraditional means.

During the past decade, acquisitions and mergers have also escalated ata rapid pace as more and more companies posture for a piece ofinternational trade. As economies continue to open, companies willcontinue to aggressively pursue strategic alliances to capitalize onthese opportunities. To date, an overriding consideration in suchalliances has been complex conversion and information exchange issues.While the Internet has done much to free the information flow, thecompatibility of legacy hardware and software remains paramount.

Another limitation of e-Forms is they have been limited to HTML, XML, orPDF formats or a few proprietary formats.

There is therefore an unfilled need for a method and apparatus whichsolves these and other problems. This invention has as its primaryobjective fulfillment of this need. The present invention is not,however, to be limited in any way by this discussion.

Features of the Invention

A general feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for tagged bar code data interchange which overcomes theproblems found in the prior art.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data interchange using tagged printed and/or video displayed barcodes which uses XML as an ad hoc middleware.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data interchange between computers using different operating systemsusing tagged printed and/or video bar codes.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data interchange between computers using different computer softwareapplications using tagged printed and/or video bar codes.

Another feature of the present invention is a method for datainterchange using tagged video bar codes generated by a softwareapplication running within, or in conjunction with an electronicdocument, to represent data contained therein.

Another feature of the present invention is a method for datainterchange using tagged printed bar codes generated by a softwareapplication running within, or in conjunction with an electronicdocument, to represent data contained therein.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged video bar codes forbusiness-consumer transactions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged printed bar codes forbusiness-consumer transactions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged video bar codes forconsumer-consumer transactions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged printed bar codes forconsumer-consumer transactions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged video bar codes forbusiness-business transactions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged printed bar codes forbusiness-business transactions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodand apparatus for data interchange using tagged video and/or taggedprinted bar codes via a remote web, security, or phone camera andtransmitted to a remote video display for data capture.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged printedand/or tagged video bar codes to provide data in multiple languages.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged printedand/or tagged video bar codes in conjunction with XML network routingequipment.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using a keyboard.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using voice recognitiontechnology.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using a computer-telephoneinterface.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged 1-D bar codedata.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged 2-D bar codedata.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged 3D bumpy barcode data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged OCR data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged MICR data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged RFID data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged magnetic stripedata.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using tagged ICR data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged 1-D bar codedata.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged 2-D bar codedata.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged 3D bumpy barcode data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged OCR data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged MICR data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged RFID data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged magneticstripe data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data input into an electronic document using un-tagged ICR data.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data interchange between computers using different operating systemsusing tagged video bar codes in an e-mail.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data interchange between computers using different operating systemsusing tagged video bar codes in an Instant Message.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor data interchange between computers using different operating systemsusing tagged video bar codes in a web-page.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a cell phone device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a PDA device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a television set-top device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a communication network router device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a communication network switch device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a communication network hub device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a laptop computer device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a personal computer (PC) device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a pager device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor tagged data output into a text messaging device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a cell phone device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a PDA device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a television set-top device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a communication network router device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a communication network switch device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a communication network hub device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a laptop computer device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged bar coded data output into a personal computer (PC)device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a pager device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a methodfor un-tagged data output into a text messaging device.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of anefficient method for bar coding UNICODE characters.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of bar coderepresenting tagged or un-tagged address information on a video display.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged video or printed bar codes for discounts given to restaurants,grocery stores, convenience stores at the time of delivery of inventoryin order to keep track of discounts and provide data to accounting andback-end systems.

Another feature of the present invention is using tagged or un-taggedvideo bar codes as pre-paid chits for things like bowling, go-kartrides, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is using cell phone cameras inconjunction with bar code decoder software to scan and decode tagged orun-tagged printed or video bar codes.

Another feature of the present invention is using web cameras inconjunction with bar code decoder software to scan and decode tagged orun-tagged printed or video bar codes.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged video bar codes as cash or gift cards.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data on PDF documents in a print directory such asYummy!.

Another feature of the present invention is the conversion of scannedbar coded data on a driver's license to XML data.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data in RSS feeds.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of a hash to producethe expiration date of product that carries a tagged or un-tagged barcode.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of XML tags in atagged bar code to do mathematical calculations in a printed or videobar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of a hash inconjunction with a PIN to encrypt a tagged or un-tagged bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of a hash inconjunction with a PIN to un-lock all or a portion of a tagged orun-tagged bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of XML tags in atagged bar code to represent row and cell identifiers in a spreadsheetsoftware program.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of XML tags in atagged bar code to represent attributes and tuples and specific recordsin a relational database.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data on employee financial transaction cardstatements and expense statements and vouchers for the purpose ofreconciliation.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data in conjunction with EDI standards, such asANSI.1, ASC X12, UN/EDIFACT, CICA, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML XSL or XSLT file.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to and XML XSD file

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML Schema file.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML DTD file.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML file with XML Signatures.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML pointer file.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML XPath file.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML file with XLinks.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an e-Form created by the XForm standard.

Another feature of the present invention is the association of a taggedor un-tagged bar code to an XML document that uses XML:ID.

Another feature of the present invention is the present invention is asecurity feature in which tagged or un-tagged bar codes are graphicallyseparated into two or more layers, and the graphical combination of allthe layers is required in order to complete the graphical representationof the bar code for scanning.

Another feature of the present invention is the secure wirelesstransmission of tagged or un-tagged bar coded data by the optical scan.

Another feature of the present invention is the integration of theAirclic bar code solution to further extend the power of tagged orun-tagged bar coded e-Forms.

Another feature of the present invention is the integration of theNeoMedia cell phone camera bar code reader solution to extend the powerof tagged or un-tagged bar coded e-Forms.

Another feature of the present invention is the enabling of couponsdistributed by Booble.com.

Another feature of the present invention is the integration of theDataCard driver's license solution with the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of DataIntrosoftware to create the bar coded e-Forms used in the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of PureEdge softwareto create the bar coded e-Forms used in the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of Icoya software tocreate the bar coded e-Forms used in the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of Adobe software tocreate the bar coded e-Forms used in the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of Microsoftsoftware to create the bar coded e-Forms used in the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of Macola softwareto create the bar coded e-Forms used in the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of Altova MapForcesoftware to manage and map bar coded e-Forms used in the presentinvention.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data in SmartBOL software products.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data in Macromedia frames in web pages, or windows.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data in QuickTime frames in web pages, or windows.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar coded data in RealNetworks frames in web pages, orwindows.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged EPC bar codes.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged Quick Response bar codes.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged Semacodes.

Another feature of the present invention is the providing theself-tagging capability of e-Forms and related documents using 43Things, Flickr, del.icio.us, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is HIPPA compliant tagged orun-tagged bar coded documents

Another feature of the present invention is Sarbanes-Oxley complianttagged or un-tagged bar coded documents.

Another feature of the present invention is encrypted data tagscontained in the bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar codes to represent data in an e-Form as an integral partof the e-Form.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged orun-tagged bar codes to represent data in an e-Form in a separatesoftware application.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of e-Forms that arenot constructed with HTML.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of e-Forms that arenot constructed with XML.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of e-Forms that arenot constructed as PDFs.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of the VISA XMLstandard for financial transaction card statement data interchange.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of AJAX programming.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of biometric dataincluded within tagged or un-tagged 2D bar codes for validation,authentication, and verification activities.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of biometrics usedin conjunction with tagged or un-tagged 2D bar codes for validation,authentication, and verification activities.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of MLC/MSC encodedbar codes.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of WiFi enabled cellphones as a device that can receive and transmit the present invention'sform which may or may not contain tagged and/or un-tagged datasummarized as a bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of cell phone-PCmerged devices.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of “Dial-A-Web Page”as a shortcut method to access web pages that may or may not includetagged and/or un-tagged data summed up as a bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of “Dial-An-Exit” asa shortcut method to access information related to hotels, motels,restaurants, gas stations, etc. located at or near a specific exit on ahighway. The information related to hotels, motels, restaurants, gasstations, ATM, etc. would be accessed by speaking or typing the Highwayand Exit number into a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc., withouthaving to depend on location based services acquiring a user's location,or may not provide enough granularity of position.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of “Dial-An-Airport”as a shortcut method to access information related to restaurants,bookstores, ATMs, rest rooms, etc. located at or near a specific gate orconcourse in an airport. The information related to restaurants,bookstores, ATMs, rest rooms, etc., would be accessed by first speakingor typing the airport code, and second speaking or typing the concourse,gate number, or flight number into a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc.without having to depend on location based services acquiring a user'slocation using WiFi, cell location, or GPS—which doesn't work indoors,or may not provide enough granularity of position. This feature of thepresent invention may be used with video bar codes that representdiscounts, coupons, chits, tickets, bar coded e-money, etc., for vendorsin or near the airport. These video bar coded discounts, coupons, chits,tickets, bar coded e-money may be delivered via SMS, EMS, MMS, e-mail,IM, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of “Dial-An-TrainStation” as a shortcut method to access information related torestaurants, bookstores, ATMs, rest rooms, etc., located at or near aspecific track or concourse in a train station. The information relatedto restaurants, bookstores, ATMs, rest rooms, etc., would be accessed byfirst speaking or typing the train station name, or train station code,and second speaking or typing a concourse, track number, or train numberinto a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc. without having to depend onlocation based services acquiring a user's location using WiFi, celllocation, or GPS—which doesn't work indoors, or may not provide enoughgranularity of position. This feature of the present invention may beused with video bar codes that represent discounts, coupons, chits,tickets, bar coded e-money, etc., for vendors in or near the trainstation. These video bar coded discounts, coupons, chits, tickets, barcoded e-money may be delivered via SMS, EMS, MMS, e-mail, IM, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of “Dial-A-Stadium”as a shortcut method to access information related to restaurants, ATMs,rest rooms, etc. located at or near a specific seating section in anindoor or outdoor sporting venue. The information related torestaurants, ATMs, rest rooms, etc., would be accessed by first speakingor typing the stadium's name, or stadium's code, and second speaking ortyping a seating section, or seat number into a cell phone, PDA, smartphone, etc. without having to depend on location based servicesacquiring a user's location using WiFi, cell location, or GPS—whichdoesn't work indoors or shielded environments, or may not provide enoughgranularity of position. This feature of the present invention may beused with video bar codes that represent discounts, coupons, chits,tickets, bar coded e-money, etc., for vendors in or near the stadium.These video bar coded discounts, coupons, chits, tickets, bar codede-money may be delivered via SMS, EMS, MMS, e-mail, IM, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of“Dial-A-Convention Center” as a shortcut method to access informationrelated to restaurants, ATMs, rest rooms, etc., located at or near aspecific area, exit, entrance, etc. in a convention hall, etc. Theinformation related to restaurants, ATMs, rest rooms, etc. would beaccessed by first speaking or typing the name of the convention center,or convention code, and second speaking or typing a specific area, exit,entrance, etc., into a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc. without havingto depend on location based services acquiring a user's location usingWiFi, cell location, or GPS—which doesn't work indoors. This feature ofthe present invention may be used with video bar codes that representdiscounts, coupons, chits, tickets, bar coded e-money, etc., for vendorsin or near the convention center. These video bar coded discounts,coupons, chits, tickets, bar coded e-money may be delivered via SMS,EMS, MMS, e-mail, IM, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of GoXML as an XMLschema.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of NavXML and GeoXMLas schemas.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of Autonomy softwarethat enable identification of the patterns that naturally occur in text,based on the usage and frequency of words or terms that correspond tospecific concepts. In order to extract a document's digital essence(which may or may not include data summed up as a tagged or un-taggedbar code) in order to enable a host of operations to be performedautomatically.

Another feature of the present invention is the inclusion of a bar codereader, RFID scanner, magnetic stripe reader in a sled, integrated intoa cell phone, PCMCIA, SDIO, etc

Another feature of the present invention is the use of iDRS intelligentrecognition software application to process imaged files to extract datacontained therein using ICR, OCR, MICR, and 1D and 2D bar coderecognition technologies.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of microfilm and/ormicrofiche as either a source and/or target for the present inventionsforms containing tagged and/or un-tagged data summarized as a bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a softwarefeature or ASP to provide a service for providing copyright filing ofthe present invention's forms containing tagged or un-tagged datasummarized as a bar code.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of JSON LightweightData Interchange as an alternative to XML.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of JSON LightweightData Interchange in conjunction with XML.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of XML in the formof RSS Branded feeds.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged and/orun-tagged bar codes in conjunction with documents created in theOpenDocument Format.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged and/orun-tagged bar codes in conjunction with documents created in the XFormsformat.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged and/orun-tagged bar codes in conjunction with documents created usingMicrosoft XPS.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of a Kofaxdepartmental sized scanner with a built-in bar code scanner and decoder.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of bar codesdisplayed in web pages that use Adobe Flash.

The present invention may be built on top of Redberri software.

One or more of these and/or other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following specification andclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards means and methods for theinterchange of data. This includes the interchange of data from oneelectronic system to another electronic system either directly orthrough an intermediary physical form such as a printed bar code, avideo displayed bar code, an RFID tag, or other physical mechanism. Theinterchange of data is performed in a meaningful way so that it isreadily usable. In particular, embedded tags can be used to facilitatethe proper identification of the data.

According to one aspect of the invention, a 3-step method and apparatusprovides for 1) inputting tagged or un-tagged data into electronicdocuments (e-forms), 2) summing up data in the electronic document asone or more 1D and/or 2D bar codes ready for interchange using datatags, and 3) outputting tagged data.

In the first step, tagged or un-tagged input data can come from avariety of data sources, including, but not limited to, 1D and/or 2D barcodes displayed on driver's licenses, national identification cards,social security cards, military identification cards, companyidentification cards, business cards, financial transaction cardsincluding, but not limited to, credit cards, check cards, and ATM cards,health plan identification cards, purchase receipts, warranties, billsof lading, purchase orders, invoices, sales orders, insurance cards,statements of account, work orders, drawings, photographs, blueprints,packing lists, UCC forms, contracts, redemption coupons, newspapers,magazines, products, product packaging, vehicles, shipping containers,pallets, etc. In addition, tagged or un-tagged sources for data inputinto an electronic document can come from sources, such as, but notlimited to, 3D bumpy bar codes, RFID tags, magnetic stripes, opticallyrecognizable characters (OCR), characters recognizable via magnetic inktechnology (MICR), intelligently recognized characters (ICR), voice,voice recognition technology, computer-telephone interfaces, keyboards,touch screens, PC, laptop, PDA, mouse, pager, text messaging device,WiFi enabled cell phones, cell phone-PC merged devices, etc.

Electronic document file types have previously been created using a verylimited number of file formats, specifically, HTML and XML in order tomake them universally available for viewing in a browser, and as PDFsusing the Adobe Reader plug-in. In a quantum leap forward the presentinvention makes virtually any electronic document file format availablefor viewing and as a mechanism to sum-up data for exchange as one ormore tagged or un-tagged bar codes. As an example, additional electronicdocument file types that would be made available in the presentinvention using a viewer, such as, but not limited to the Kamel Fastlookbrowser plug-in include, but are not limited to the following:

300—Enable WP 3.0 BAK—AutoCAD backup files BMP—Windows bitmapCAL—SuperCalc 5 CDR—Corel Draw (Header only) CGM—Computer GraphicMetafiles CH3—Harvard Graphics 3.0 CHP—Legacy files CHT—Harvard Graphics2.0 CUR—Windows Cursor DB—Paradox Database DB—Smart DatabaseDBA—DataEase 4.x DBF—DBase III, IV, V DCX—Multipage PCXDGN—Intergraph/MicroStation files* DIB—Windows bitmap DIF—Navy DIFDLL—Windows DLL file DOC—First Choice 3 WP DOC—IBM DisplayWrite 4/5DOC—Microsoft Word 4.0-6.0 DOC—Microsoft WordPad DOC—MultiMate 3.6DOC—SmartWare II DOC—Wang IWP files DOC—Word for Windows 1.0, 7.0, 97DOX—MultiMate 4.0 DRW—Micrografx Draw DTF—Q&A Database DWF—AutoCAD DWF2.0 DWG—AutoCAD Drawing files DX3—DEC DX files DXF—Drawing Interchangefiles EPS—EPS (TIFF header) EXE—DOS/Windows Executable EXE—SelfExtracting ZIP FAX—CCITT Group3 Fax FAX—CCITT Group3/4 Fax FFT—IBM FFTfiles First Choice Word Processor FNT—MultiMate Advantage 2FNX—MultiMate Note FOL—First Choice DB FWK—Framework III GEM—GEM ImageGeneric WKS GIF—Rendered Image files GP4—CALS Group4 imagesHPGL/2—Hewlet-Packard Graphics Language HTML—Internet-WWW IBM WritingAssistant ICO—Windows Icon IDW—Autodesk Inventor IMG—GEM Image file JFIFJPEG—Compressed Color JW—JustWrite 1.0/2.0 Lotus Manuscript 1.0-2.0Lotus PIC LTR—PC File 5.0 Doc LZA Compress LZH Compress Mac WordPerfect2.0 Mac WordPerfect 3.0 Mac WordPerfect 1.x Mac Works 2.0 Database MacWorks 2.0 Spreadsheet Mac Works 2.0 Word Processor Macintosh PICT/PICT2MacPaint MacWrite II MASS 11 MDB—Microsoft Access MI—ME10/30 MicrosoftOffice Binder Multiplan 4 Novell PerfectWorks 2.0 Word Processor NovellPerfectWorks 2.0 Draw Novell PerfectWorks 2.0 Spreadsheet NovellPresentations 3.0 OS/2 Bitmap OS/2 Warp Bitmap PCX—Zsoft Corporationfiles PFB—PFS Write PL—PFS: Plan PPT—PowerPoint 3.0-4.0PPT—Powerpoint7.0 PR2—Freelance files Professional Write 1-2 PRT—CADKey design filePWP—Professional Write Plus Q&A Write Q&A Write 3 R2D—Reflex filesRBF—R:Base SystemV/5000 RFT—IBM DCA/RFT files RLC—CAD Overlay filesRLE—Windows bitmap RTF—Rich Text Format SAM—Ami Pro files SAM—Samnafiles SDW—Ami Draw Signature SLDDRW—SolidWorks SNP—Lotus SnapshotSPR—Sprint files SS—First Choice Spreadsheet SSF—Enable SpreadsheetSY1—Smart PIC files SYM—Lotus Symphony TAR—UNIX Tar files TAZ—UNIXCompress files TGA—Rendered Image files TIF—TIFF Group3/4, LZW ColorTW—Total Word files TXT—IBM DisplayWrite 2/3 TXT—Text FilesVW4—Volkswriter files WB1—Quattro Pro for Windows WDB—MS Works DatabaseWG1—Lotus 123 for OS2 Windows Works Database Windows Works SpreadsheetWK1—Lotus 123 v1.0-2.0 WK3—Lotus 123 v3.0-5.0 WKS—MS Works SpreadsheetWKS—VP-Planner WKU—Mosaic Twin files WMC—WordMarc files WMF—WindowsMetafiles Word for Macintosh 4.0-5.0 WP—WordPerfect 4.2 WP—OfficeWriterWPD—WordPerfect 5.x WPD—WordPerfect 6.0-7.0 WPF—Enable WP 4.xWPG—WordPerfect Graphic 1.0-2.0 WPG—WordPerfect Presentations WPS—MSWorks Wordprocessor WQ1—Quattro Pro DOS WRI—Windows Write WS—WordStar3.0-7.0 WS—Smart Spreadsheet WS—Wordstar for Windows WS2—WordStar 2000XLC—Microsoft Excel Chart XLS—Microsoft Excel XyWrite/Nota BeneZIP—PkZip file

Also, by using other viewers in the present invention, such as, but notlimited to, DjVu, DiJu files that include data summed up as one or moretagged and/or un-tagged bar codes can be read.

In addition, by using other viewers in the present invention, such as,but not limited to, PureEdge Viewer, PureEdge files that include datasummed up as one or more tagged and/or un-tagged bar codes can be read.

Tagged input data is automatically input into an electronic document.Input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input to an electronicdocument, and subsequently re-tagged by the electronic document in orderto facilitate interchange into an information system. Alternatively,input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input into anelectronic document, and subsequently remain with the input data withoutalteration in order to facilitate interchange into an informationsystem.

Un-tagged input data is semi-automatically input into an electronicdocument.

In step two, source data and/or electronic form fields contained in theelectronic document are summed up as one or more 1D and/or 2D tagged barcode(s), which is the means for data interchange via bar code scanningtechnology in the present invention. Alternatively, the data may besummed up by the remote server and returned to the original electronicdocument, or other electronic documents as one or more 1D and/or 2Dtagged bar codes for data interchange via bar code scanning technology.The electronic document may use the data tags contained in the sourcedata, and/or strip the source data tags and/or re-tag the source data inorder to facilitate data interchange. Additionally, the electronicdocument can add data tags to un-tagged input source data in order tofacilitate interchange into an information system.

In step three, tagged information summed up on an electronic document inthe form of one or more 10 and/or 2D bar codes are captured from eithera printed version of the electronic document, or a video displayedversion of the electronic document. The video bar code may come fromeither a local, or remotely viewed source. The captured tagged datastring is parsed; the data tags are used to route and/or input and/orexchange data into a variety of software applications, such as but notlimited to, a database, a spreadsheet, a web page, a word processor,another electronic document, etc. The tags may remain with the outputdata, or alternatively may be stripped from the data.

The tagged data captured from one or more 1D and/or 2D bar code(s) in anelectronic document, either directly off a video display or from aprinted version of the document, can be output to a data target that iscapable of receiving and/or use tagged data, such as but not limited to,an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder,MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box,telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch,telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA,pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, a business user or consumer uses anintegrated software system to create electronic generated documentswhich include integrally or in a separate software application taggedbar coded information, create specific style sheets to define bar codeddata tags, publish documents with tagged bar coded information, scanvideo displayed documents using a high scan rate CCD or linear imager,or scan printed documents using any type of applicable bar code readerto capture tagged bar coded information, cache tagged bar codedinformation, parse the tagged bar coded information and applicablesoftware applications, strip the bar coded data tags, input stripped barcoded data into the applicable software application.

This scanned information is not formatted specifically for anybusiness/consumer software and therefore is easily transferable betweenbusinesses/consumers which may use different software applications tomanipulate the same data to suit their needs. This minimizes the needfor many of the conversion programs or interpretation programs, commonlyknown as middleware, and provides data interchange across a wide varietyof settings for a myriad of purposes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for datainterchange is provided. The method includes providing a first documenthaving at least one data field. Then inputted information is receivedinto the at least one data field. A bar code is generated based on theat least one data field and the information inputted into the at leastone data field. The at least one data field and the information inputtedinto the at least one data field is stored within the first document orotherwise.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for datainterchange includes opening a document having tagged bar codedinformation including data tags and data. Then the data is updated. Abar code defined by the tagged bar code information is also updated. Thetagged bar coded information is then transmitted. The transmitting canoccur in electronic or paper form.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for datainterchange includes opening a document having embedded tagged orun-tagged bar coded information, updating data within data field of thedocument, updating the embedded bar coded information based on the data,and generating a bar code based on the embedded bar coded information.The embedded bar coded information can then be transmitted in eitherelectronic or paper form, or a combination of electronic and paperforms.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for datainterchange includes opening a document that is linked to tagged orun-tagged bar coded information represented in a separate softwareapplication, updating data within the data field of the document,updating the bar coded information in the linked and separate softwareapplication based on the data, and generating a bar code based on thebar coded information in the linked and separate software application.The combination of the document and bar coded information in a linkedand separate software application can then be transmitted in eitherelectronic or paper form, or combination of electronic and paper forms.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for datainterchange includes summing up data associated with an electronicdocument to provide summed up data, representing the summed up data asone or more bar codes, and returning the one or more bar codes fordisplay and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video displayor a printed version of the one or more bar codes. The summing up mayinclude taking data from multiple information fields to create thesummed up data. The data may include data tags. The method may includeadding data tags to the data to assist in data interchange. The steps ofsumming up, representing, and returning are performed by a softwareapplication running on a first computer. The method may include sendingthe data associated with the electronic document to a remote computingdevice for performing the steps of summing up, representing, andreturning. The step of returning may be returning an image. Theelectronic document may include data from a source associated with theelectronic document. The data source may be a physical device. The oneor more bar codes may be maintained by incorporating the one or more barcodes into the electronic document as one or more images. The method mayinclude representing the electronic document and the one or more barcodes on microfilm or microfiche for archival purposes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for datainterchange includes receiving a number from a user representing alocation of a web resource, accessing the web resource using the number,receiving from the web resource a bar code summing up data associatedwith the web resource. The number may be a phone number or other numberwhich may be easily entered by a user, such as using a dial pact of aphone. The number may include other characters associated with a dialpad of a phone. The data may data tags.

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus for tagged barcode data interchange will be afforded to those skilled in the art, aswell as a realization of the additional features and advantages thereof,by a consideration of the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended drawingswhich will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart representation of the preferred method of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a document containing tagged barcodes.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a style sheet used by the“sending company” to identify the fields and tags for the bar codesshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of a style sheet used by the“receiving company” to identify the fields and tags to receive the barcodes shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is pictorial representation of a style sheet used to identify thefields and tags for the tagged two-dimensional bar coded data shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of a data cache.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of the “receiving company's”software application which receives data from the data cache depicted inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an example of data and data tags contained in atwo-dimensional bar code.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a data cache which has receivedthe two-dimensional, tagged bar coded data represented in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a general block diagram of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a 3-step method andapparatus for 1) inputting tagged or un-tagged data into electronicdocuments (e-forms), 2) summing up data in the electronic document asone or more 1D and/or 2D bar codes ready for interchange using datatags, and 3) outputting tagged data.

In the first step of the present invention, tagged or un-tagged inputdata can come from a variety of data sources, including, but not limitedto, 1D and/or 2D bar codes displayed on driver's licenses, nationalidentification cards, social security cards, military identificationcards, company identification cards, business cards, financialtransaction cards including, but not limited to, credit cards, checkcards, and ATM cards, health plan identification cards, purchasereceipts, warranties, bills of lading, purchase orders, invoices, salesorders, insurance cards, statements of account, work orders, drawings,photographs, blueprints, packing lists, UCC forms, contracts, redemptioncoupons, newspapers, magazines, products, product packaging, vehicles,shipping containers, pallets, etc. In addition, tagged or un-taggedsources for data input into an electronic document can come from varioussources, such as, but not limited to, 3D bumpy bar codes, RFID tags,magnetic stripes, optically recognizable characters (OCR), charactersrecognizable via magnetic ink technology (MICR), intelligentlyrecognized characters (ICR), voice, voice recognition technology,computer-telephone interfaces, keyboards, touch screens, PC, laptop,PDA, mouse, pager, text messaging device, etc.

Electronic document file types for viewing, sharing, and exchanging dataon the Internet have previously been created using a very limited numberof file formats, specifically, HTML and XML in order to make themuniversally available for viewing in a browser, and as PDFs using theAdobe Reader plug-in. In a quantum leap forward the present inventionmakes virtually any electronic document file format available forviewing and as a mechanism to sum-up data for exchange as one or moretagged or un-tagged bar codes. As an example, additional electronicdocument file types that would be made available in the presentinvention using a viewer, such as, but not limited to the Kamel Fastlookbrowser plug-in include, but are not limited to the following:

300—Enable WP 3.0 BAK—AutoCAD backup files BMP—Windows bitmapCAL—SuperCalc 5 CDR—Corel Draw (Header only) CGM—Computer GraphicMetafiles CH3—Harvard Graphics 3.0 CHP—Legacy files CHT—Harvard Graphics2.0 CUR—Windows Cursor DB—Paradox Database DB—Smart DatabaseDBA—DataEase 4.x DBF—DBase III, IV, V DCX—Multipage PCXDGN—Intergraph/MicroStation files* DIB—Windows bitmap DIF—Navy DIFDLL—Windows DLL file DOC—First Choice 3 WP DOC—IBM DisplayWrite 4/5DOC—Microsoft Word 4.0-6.0 DOC—Microsoft WordPad DOC—MultiMate 3.6DOC—SmartWare II DOC—Wang IWP files DOC—Word for Windows 1.0, 7.0, 97DOX—MultiMate 4.0 DRW—Micrografx Draw DTF—Q&A Database DWF—AutoCAD DWF2.0 DWG—AutoCAD Drawing files DX3—DEC DX files DXF—Drawing Interchangefiles EPS—EPS (TIFF header) EXE—DOS/Windows Executable EXE—SelfExtracting ZIP FAX—CCITT Group3 Fax FAX—CCITT Group3/4 Fax FFT—IBM FFTfiles First Choice Word Processor FNT—MultiMate Advantage 2FNX—MultiMate Note FOL—First Choice DB FWK—Framework III GEM—GEM ImageGeneric WKS GIF—Rendered Image files GP4—CALS Group4 imagesHPGL/2—Hewlet-Packard Graphics Language HTML—Internet-WWW IBM WritingAssistant ICO—Windows Icon IDW—Autodesk Inventor IMG—GEM Image file JFIFJPEG—Compressed Color JW—JustWrite 1.0/2.0 Lotus Manuscript 1.0-2.0Lotus PIC LTR—PC File 5.0 Doc LZA Compress LZH Compress Mac WordPerfect2.0 Mac WordPerfect 3.0 Mac WordPerfect 1.x Mac Works 2.0 Database MacWorks 2.0 Spreadsheet Mac Works 2.0 Word Processor Macintosh PICT/PICT2MacPaint MacWrite II MASS 11 MDB—Microsoft Access MI—ME10/30 MicrosoftOffice Binder Multiplan 4 Novell PerfectWorks 2.0 Word Processor NovellPerfectWorks 2.0 Draw Novell PerfectWorks 2.0 Spreadsheet NovellPresentations 3.0 OS/2 Bitmap OS/2 Warp Bitmap PCX—Zsoft Corporationfiles PFB—PFS Write PL—PFS: Plan PPT—PowerPoint 3.0-4.0PPT—Powerpoint7.0 PR2—Freelance files Professional Write 1-2 PRT—CADKey design filePWP—Professional Write Plus Q&A Write Q&A Write 3 R2D—Reflex filesRBF—R:Base SystemV/5000 RFT—IBM DCA/RFT files RLC—CAD Overlay filesRLE—Windows bitmap RTF—Rich Text Format SAM—Ami Pro files SAM—Samnafiles SDW—Ami Draw Signature SLDDRW—SolidWorks SNP—Lotus SnapshotSPR—Sprint files SS—First Choice Spreadsheet SSF—Enable SpreadsheetSY1—Smart PIC files SYM—Lotus Symphony TAR—UNIX Tar files TAZ—UNIXCompress files TGA—Rendered Image files TIF—TIFF Group3/4, LZW ColorTW—Total Word files TXT—IBM DisplayWrite 2/3 TXT—Text FilesVW4—Volkswriter files WB1—Quattro Pro for Windows WDB—MS Works DatabaseWG1—Lotus 123 for OS2 Windows Works Database Windows Works SpreadsheetWK1—Lotus 123 v1.0-2.0 WK3—Lotus 123 v3.0-5.0 WKS—MS Works SpreadsheetWKS—VP-Planner WKU—Mosaic Twin files WMC—WordMarc files WMF—WindowsMetafiles Word for Macintosh 4.0-5.0 WP—WordPerfect 4.2 WP—OfficeWriterWPD—WordPerfect 5.x WPD—WordPerfect 6.0-7.0 WPF—Enable WP 4.xWPG—WordPerfect Graphic 1.0-2.0 WPG—WordPerfect Presentations WPS—MSWorks Wordprocessor WQ1—Quattro Pro DOS WRI—Windows Write WS—WordStar3.0-7.0 WS—Smart Spreadsheet WS—Wordstar for Windows WS2—WordStar 2000XLC—Microsoft Excel Chart XLS—Microsoft Excel XyWrite/Nota BeneZIP—PkZip file

Also, by using other viewers in the present invention, such as, but notlimited to, DjVu, DiJu files that include data summed up as one or moretagged and/or un-tagged bar codes can be read).

In addition, by using other viewers in the present invention, such as,but not limited to, PureEdge Viewer, PureEdge files that include datasummed up as one or more tagged and/or un-tagged bar codes can be read.

Tagged input data is automatically input into an electronic document.Input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input to an electronicdocument, and subsequently re-tagged by the electronic document in orderto facilitate interchange into an information system. Alternatively,input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input into anelectronic document, and subsequently remain with the input data withoutalteration in order to facilitate interchange into an informationsystem. Un-tagged input data is semi-automatically input into anelectronic document.

In step two, source data and/or electronic form fields contained in theelectronic document are summed up as one or more 1D and/or 2D tagged barcode(s), which is the means for data interchange via bar code scanningtechnology in the present invention. Alternatively, the data may besummed up by the remote server and returned to the original electronicdocument or other electronic documents as one or more 1D and/or 2Dtagged bar codes for data interchange via bar code scanning technology.The electronic document may use the data tags contained in the sourcedata, and/or strip the source data tags and/or re-tag the source data inorder to facilitate data interchange. Additionally, the electronicdocument can add data tags to un-tagged input source data in order tofacilitate interchange into an information system.

In step three, tagged information summed up on an electronic document inthe form of one or more 1D and/or 2D bar codes can be captured fromeither a printed version of the electronic document, or a videodisplayed version of the electronic document. The video bar code maycome from either a local, or remotely viewed source. The captured taggeddata string is parsed; the data tags are used to route and/or inputand/or exchange data into a variety of software applications, such asbut not limited to, a database, a spreadsheet, a web page, a wordprocessor, another electronic document, etc. The tags may remain withthe output data, or alternatively may be stripped from the data.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention describes a scenario inwhich the electronic document has the intelligence necessary to sum up,and tag data for interchange. In the following example, data designatedfor interchange is summed up by software, firmware, or hardware and notthe electronic document itself.

The tagged data in the following example may be sent to a remote computedevice such as, but not limited to a server running a softwareapplication that sums up the data, tags it for interchange as one ormore 1D and/or 2D bar codes, and returns it to the originatingelectronic document for display and data capture via a bar code scanfrom either a video display or printed as a hard-copy. Alternatively,the tagged data in the form of one or more 1D and/or 2D bar codes, maybe returned to another software window open on the same computing devicewhere the originating electronic document is resident, or may bereturned to a different hardware device for display and data capture viaa bar code scan from a video display or printed as a hard-copy.

As an example, a purchasing agent would use an Internet browser, such asbut not limited to, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc. to performan Internet search for a product using an Internet search engine suchas, but not limited to, Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Acoona, Lycos, Alta Vista,Teoma, Excite, Northern Light, NBC i/Snap, Go/Infoseek, Overture,Kanoodle, InfoSpace, Switchboard, WhoWhere?, Orbitz, etc. The purchasingagent would go to a relevant web-page, and use a button on theirInternet browser to request tagged data in the form of one or more 1Dand/or 2D bar codes be returned to them. The Internet search engine, oran Application Service Provider (ASP), would process the request to sumup relevant demographic data, product data, etc., in the form of one ormore 1D and/or 2D tagged data bar codes ready for data interchange intothe purchasing agent's business system software as a purchase order,purchase order request, etc.

Alternatively, the purchasing agent could use their Internet browser tocontact Thomas Register to perform an Internet search for a productusing their search engine. The purchasing agent would go to a relevantweb-page, use a button on the Thomas Register web-page to request taggeddata in the form of one of more 1D and/or 2D bar codes be returned tothem. Thomas Register would process the request to sum up relevantdemographic data, product data, etc. in the form of one or more 1Dand/or 2D tagged data bar codes that would be used to facilitate datainterchange into the purchasing agent's business system software as apurchase order, purchase order request, etc.

In these examples, XML is very powerful when industry-specific XMLstandards are used. The following chart details some industry-specificor application-specific XML standards that are designed to facilitatedata interchange. Industry-specific XML standards can be applied in thepresent invention as tags for input data, tags for data summed up in theform of one or more 1D and/or 2D bar codes, or tags for output data.

STANDARDS AND INDUSTRY RELATED ITEMS DESCRIPTION Financial ServicesRIXML, finXML, FIXML, Used to facilitate electronic data FpML, OFX,MISMO, exchange in specific financial segments, GLXML, VISA XML suchCapital Markets, Mortgage, and Securities. Insurance ACCORD Suite of XMLspecifications designed to facilitate the electronic exchange of Lifeand Annuity, Property and Casualty, and Reinsurance information CriminalJustice/Legal Legal Justice XML, Specifications for electronic courtfiling, LegalXML court documents, legal citations, transcripts, criminaljustice intelligence systems, and others Banking BIPS, IFX Used by thebanking industry to exploit electronic delivery channels to rapidlydeliver applications and products to consumers Business Reporting XBRLEnables dynamic and interactive publishing, exchange, and analysis ofcomplex financial information in corporate business reports EDI X12,XML/EDI, tranXML Used to facilitate inter-industry electronicinterchange of business transactions Human Resources HR-XML Suite of XMLspecifications designed to enable e-business and the automation of humanresources-related data exchanges Customer Information CPExchange, xNAL,xCIL, Used to represent customer information xCRL in a standard way toachieve interoperability between different systems, processes, andplatforms Aerospace/Defense eAIP Used for the publication and exchangeof the Aeronautical Information Publication in electronic formatAutomotive SAE J2008 Designed to provide easy access to emission-relatedautomotive service information E-commerce BPML, ebXML, cXML, Used tofacilitate Internet commerce xCBL, BRML, IOTP ERP OAGIS Used to providea common horizontal message architecture Manufacturing MDSI-XMLFacilitate electronic exchange of manufacturing data TelecommunicationsMAXML, WAP-WML Used in development of telecommunications applicationsTransportation tranXML, MTML, tXML Used in development oftelecommunications applications News RSS Used in news feeds, and can beused to feed pertinent data and news inside an organization Building andConstruction bcXML Used in the building and construction industry tofacilitate exchange of information Other NavXML, GXML Geographic basedXML Internet Search XML Go XML Internet Search XML

The information encoded in printed bar codes can be captured using avariety of scanning equipment that can configured as either hand-helddevices or bulk scanning equipment. Printed bar code readers can beCharge Coupled Device (CCD) scanners with short or long depths of field.CCD Scanners with longer “laser-like” depths of field are calledImagers. CCD Scanners have no moving parts and use an LED array withhundreds or thousands of CCD light detectors to measure the ambientlight from an illuminated bar code image. CCD Scanners capture theentire bar code image and form a signal pattern that can be decoded. Thedecoder may be integrated into the scanner, or operate on a separatedevice.

Also, CCD camera and decoder combinations can be used to scan and decodevideo or printed bar codes. Scanbuy and NeoMedia provide bar codedecoder technology that enables CCD cameras in cell phones or web camsto serve as bar code readers.

The information encoded in printed bar codes can also be captured usingLaser Scanners. Laser Scanners have a very precise beam of light whichcan be reflected accurately in a range of several inches to several feetto dozens of feet. Laser Scanners capture data encoded in a bar code bymeasuring reflected light of a specific frequency originating from thescanner itself. Typically, Laser Scanners have a moving beam whichsweeps back and forth; some older Laser Scanners required the user tomove the beam across the bar code.

Printed bar codes can also be read with a Pen Wand, which is thesimplest bar code reader. It contains no moving parts and is a durableand low cost. However, a Pen Wand can present a challenge to the user,because it has to remain in direct contact with the bar code, must beheld at a certain angle, and has to be moved over the bar code at acertain speed.

A printed bar code can also be read with a Slot Scanner, which remainsstationary and the item with the bar code on it is pulled by handthrough the slot. Slot Scanners are typically used to scan bar codes onidentification cards.

A printed bar code can also be read with a Camera Reader that uses asmall video camera to capture an image of a bar code. The reader uses asophisticated digital image processing technique to decode the bar code.Camera Readers use the same CCD technology as in a CCD bar code readerexcept that instead of having a single row of sensors, a video camerahas hundreds of rows of sensors arranged in a two dimensional array sothey can generate an image of a bar code suitable for decoding.

Video displayed bar codes can only be captured successfully for decodingusing CCD Scanners, Imagers, or Camera Readers.

Any type of bar code scanner can be connected to a device such as acomputer, or cash register, etc. via a hard-wire or RF connection.

The tagged data captured from one or more 1D and/or 2D bar code(s) in anelectronic document, either directly off a video display or from aprinted version of the document, can be output to a data target that iscapable of receiving and/or use tagged data, such as but not limited to,an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder,MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box,telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch,telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA,pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.

FIG. 10 is a general block diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention. E-form 1010 is capable of receiving input from a variety oftagged or un-tagged data sources, including but not limited to, anun-tagged bar code 1000, bar code 1000 can be a 1 Dimension (1D), 2Dimension (2D), or 3D bar code bumpy bar code.

Alternatively, E-form 1010 is capable of receiving input form tagged barcodes 1001, bar code 1001 can be a 1D, 2D, or 3D bar code. These taggedor un-tagged 1D or 2D input bar codes can be displayed as printed and/orlocal or remote video bar codes.

Also, E-form 1010 can receive input from tagged or un-tagged datacontained in the form of MICR 1012, ICR 1003, OCR 1004, or contained inmagnetic stripes 1005 or RFID tags 1006.

Also, E-form 1010 is capable of receiving tagged or un-tagged data fromsources such as, but not limited to, voice input 1007,computer-telephone interfaces 1008, keyboards 1009, etc.

E-Form 1010 sums up information ready for interchange as one or moretagged 1D bar codes 1012 and/or tagged 2D bar codes 1011. The datacontained in the 1D 1012 and/or 2D bar codes 1011 is tagged tofacilitate data interchange with various data targets.

E-form 1010 can be displayed as a video document 1021 and/or as aprinted document 1022 in order for the tagged data summed up as one ormore tagged 1D bar codes 1012 and/or tagged 2D bar codes 1011 to becaptured by bar code scanner 1030. Video document 1021 can be a localdocument or remote viewed document,

Bar code scanner 1030 is capable of outputting tagged and/or un-taggeddata captured represented as 1D bar codes 1012 and/or 2D bar codes 1011to software applications such as, but not limited to, other E-forms1010′, a database 1041, etc. Also, the data being output by scanner 1030captured from E-form 1010 represented in either a video document 1021and/or printed document 1022 may be output to devices such as, but notlimited to, a set-top box 1042, cell phone 1043, compute device 1044such as, but not limited to a PC, laptop, server, micro-processor, PDA,etc., telecom equipment 1045 such as but not limited to a router, hub,switch, etc., Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) 1046, or a pager or textmessenger 1046, etc. Bar code scanner 1030 is also capable of outputtingun-tagged bar codes 1000 and/or tagged bar codes 1001. Un-tagged barcodes 1000 and tagged bar codes 1001 may be 1D, and/or 2D, and or 3D.

Bar Codes

In the present invention, bar codes are used for summing up data whichis tagged to facilitate data interchange. The bar codes used the presentinvention to facilitate data interchange can be displayed in a printedand/or video format. Additionally bar codes can serve as sources of datafor input into an electronic document, and can also be the form oftarget data output by the present invention

Printed Bar Codes

Printed bar codes are well known in the art, and are a proven, efficientmeans for data collection. A bar code is a coded image of bars andspaces, which can be used to represent numbers and other symbols. Aprinted bar code can be 1 Dimension (1D), or 2 Dimension (2D). Commonstandardized 1D bar code formats include, but are not limited to, Code39, Code 128, and Interleaved 2 of 5. A common standardized 2D bar codeformat includes, but is not limited to, PDF 417. There are also variousproprietary 1D and 2D bar code formats. A bar code reader is used toread the code, and translates the image of the bar code into digitaldata.

Following is a more complete list of various 1D and 2D printed bar codesused in the world today. This list includes, but is not limited to, Code39, Code 39 extended, Danish PTT 39 Bar code, French Postal 39 A/R,German Postal Bar code Identcode 11, German Postal Bar code Leitcode 13,2 of 5 Interleaved, 2 of 5 Industrial, 2 of 5 Matrix Plessey, Codabar,MSI Plessey, MSI Plessey+CHK10, MSI Plessey+CHK10+CHK10, MSIPlessey+CHK11+CHK10, 2 of 5 IATA, 2 of 5 Datalogic, Code 39 Reduced,USPS tray label, USPS sack label, Code32, Codabar Rationalised, MSIPlessey+CHK11, OMR, Code 93, Code 93 extended, 128 A, 128 B, 128 C,UCC-128, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-8+2, EAN/JAN-8+5, EAN/JAN-13, EAN/JAN-13+2,EAN/JAN-13+5, UPC-A, UPC-A+2, UPC-A+5, UPC-E, UPC-E+2, UPC-E+5, OceUNICODE, 128 utoswitch, EAN 128, ISBN, ISSN, Swiss Postal, Code11, UPSStandard (18 digits), UPS 18 digits, UPS Standard (11 digits), UPS 11digits, 128X (Free Type), Telepen, PDF-417, PDF-417 (HP Mode),MicroPDF417, Royal Mail 4-State Customer Code, Dutch 4-State Postal,Singapore Post 4-State Postal Code, Australia Post 4-State Postal Code,Japan Post 4-State Postal Code, Australia Post 4-State Postal Code37,52,67, Australia 4-state postal 37-GUST (HP Mode), Australia 4-statepostal 52-FF-MET (HP Mode), Australia 4-state postal 67-FF-MET (HPMode), Australia 4-state postal FCC-45 REPLY (HP Mode), Singapore Post4-State Postal Code (HP Mode), DataMatrix, MaxiCode, MaxiCode (HP Mode),USPS FIM, POSTNET 5 ZIP+4, POSTNET 9 ZIP+4, POSTNET 11 DPC, PLANET,Aztec, Aztec Mesas, QR Code, Code 49, Channel Code, Code One, SuperCode,RSS, EAN/UCC Composite Symbology, Codablock F, Dot Code A, Code16K.

Bar Code Security Features (Printed Bar Codes)

For certain applications it may be a requirement to add a level ofsecurity in order to prevent the reading and/or scanning of sensitive orproprietary information that may be contained in a tagged bar code in anelectronic document.

One method of providing an additional layer of security against someoneattempting to read the human readable portion that often accompanies atagged bar code, particularly a 1D tagged bar code, is by theelimination of the human readable portion of a bar code. Another methodwould be to deliberately change the human readable portion of a bar codeto be irrelevant and unrelated to what is actually contained in thetagged bar code.

A tagged bar code that is readable by a bar code scanner can typicallybe printed using a wide variety of standard inks on a wide variety oflabel materials and/or paper types. One method to prevent fraudulentphotocopying of a tagged printed bar code that is to be applied to anasset is to print the tagged bar code on self-destructing material thatcomes apart if an attempt is made to peel it off the asset that has beenaffixed to.

A tagged printed bar code can be made more secure if it is printed witha thermochromic ink, available from companies such as, but not limitedto, Standard Register. Thermochromic ink changes color or disappearswhen warmed and returns back to the original color upon cooling, thusmaking it impossible to copy using photocopiers. They are also difficultto counterfeit. A tagged printed bar code can be printed using astandard ink and a disappearing thermochromic ink in order to cause thetagged printed bar code to morph into another image. The morphed barcode would translate into a different identification number and wouldalert a back-end database of a fraudulently tagged printed bar code.Thermochromic inks are an effective deterrent to fraud.

Another kind of tagged printed bar code can be presented using theaforementioned 3D bumpy bar code technology. One advantage of using a 3Dtagged bumpy bar code to represent tagged data is that it cannot befraudulently photocopied. Also, 3D bumpy bar code readers are currentlynot as ubiquitous as standard bar code readers designed to read taggedprinted and/or tagged video bar codes.

A further security measure for tagged printed bar codes is the printingof the tagged bar code using invisible inks. As an example, PhotoSecure,Inc. manufactures photoluminescent inks (SmartDYE™) and relatedscanners. Fluorescing inks are invisible to the naked eye and provide amoderate amount of protection against copying. By mixing SmartDYE™components, PhotoSecure can customize each ink batch, if necessary, tohave unique fluorescing characteristics. These include the specificfrequency of light needed to activate them, the manner in which theirfluorescence fades when the photo stimulus is removed, the exact colorof the fluorescence, and other properties which can be detected andmeasured by their scanners. PhotoSecure's scanners are equipped with astrobe light source, a CCD image sensor, and solid-state memory forrecording both the response profile of each authentic secure tagged barcode.

Additionally, a tagged bar code may also include a digital watermark.Digimarc Corporation's digital watermark technology embeds a specialmessage in an image by making subtle, imperceptible changes to theoriginal data content of an image. A digital watermark that has beenfraudulently copied can be detected using a proprietary scanner.

Another form of security for a tagged bar code is the intentional visualencryption of the tagged bar code by applying an algorithm to the taggeddata to scramble the position of the characters being displayed. Thevisual encryption algorithm could use a PIN or other unique identifieras a variable to drive the encryption algorithm.

Another form of security for tagged and or un-tagged bar codes is thecreation of a single PDF-417 2D bar code, and then subsequently thedivision of the original 2D bar code into at least two parts. All thesub-divided parts would need to be present in order to be scanned anddecoded. The original PDF 417 2D bar code could also be hashed and/orPIN protected in addition. Some of the sub-divided parts could beprinted, and others could be presented on video displays.

Any combination or all of these technologies may be employed to addsecurity to a tagged bar code of the present invention and insureauthenticity.

Video Bar Codes

In addition to the tagging of bar codes as described in the presentinvention, the inventors have greatly extended the utility of bar codesby creating another format for their use, video displays. Tagged videobar codes give rise to a tremendous opportunity to introduce newapplications for bar codes, such as in prepackaged software, customsoftware, television, digital radio, the Internet, and ATM machines.

Tagged video bar codes are an efficient means for data collection andcan be 1 Dimension (1D), or 2 Dimension (2D). Common standardized 1D barcode formats that have been successfully read off a video displayinclude, but are not limited to, Code 39, Code 128, and Interleaved 2 of5. A common standardized 2D bar code format that has been successfullyread off a video display includes, but is not limited to, PDF 417. Thereare also various proprietary 1D and 2D bar code formats. A high scanrate CCD or linear imager bar code reader is used to read the taggedvideo bar code, and translates the image of the bar code into digitaldata.

Tagged video bar codes possess several inherent qualities that offersignificant advancements in this digital age. First, the use of taggedvideo bar codes can allow for a two-way interchange of data.

Secondly, the use of tagged video bar codes is not constrained byoperating systems, software, hardware, or the compatibility of suchsystems. Any data represented by a tagged video bar code may beuniversally interchanged across disparate systems without expensive andrigid middle-ware requirements. By simply scanning a video-displayed barcode in a similar manner as performed at the grocery store, data isinstantaneously transferred.

Tagged 1D or 2D bar codes are a unique and simple way for two or moreparties to exchange information, using HTML, SGML, XML, proprietary datatags, etc. Tagged bar codes allow for an ad-hoc or standardized mediumto exchange data between parties, applications, businesses, andindustries. As information is captured and decoded, data tags are usedto delineate and identify data for input into a standardized form,database, application, etc. Tagged bar codes greatly expand theapplication for bar codes. Tagged bar codes can be one ortwo-dimensional bar codes, which can be presented for scanning in eitherprinted or video formats.

Electronic documents with tagged video bar codes are easily createdusing existing software, and may be viewed with a variety of differentvideo displays. Tagged video bar coded data is then captured andinterchanged with any software application running on any operatingsystem without using middle-ware. This is an easy-to-implement,inexpensive system. As an example, small vendors currently cannot affordthe extensive monetary investment required for special middle-ware to dobusiness with companies such as Wal-Mart, Sears, Dayton-Hudson, GeneralMotors, etc. Tagged video bar coded electronic documents such as,purchase orders, advance ship notices, invoices, medical prescriptions,insurance applications, etc. create a new, easy-to-implement form of EDIin order to interact with a business information system.

Tagged video bar codes have broad application and may be transmittedover any video medium. Televisions, PDA's, cell phones, and/or computermonitors displaying a tagged video bar code may be scanned to exchangedata into another format or application. This will prove beneficial inB2B and B2C transactions where the style, format, and content of datatransmission needs to be re-formatted for processing or proprietarypurposes. In this application, medium to small size companies will beempowered to exchange data across disparate systems and fulfilltransactions immediately, without middle-ware or third-partyadministrators typically required to execute an electronic transaction.

Tagged video bar codes provide a new format of presenting bar codes,which extends their application to general business environments andprovide the following benefits: 1) universal data interchange across anyoperating system and software platform at point of use withoutmiddle-ware, 2) enhances the functionality of B2B and B2C transactionswithout the need to re-key data, 3) reduces the need for complexintegration in management information systems, 4) an easy-to-use,interactive two-way electronic data interchange. Tagged video bar codesmay be available locally on a device, such as a computer, or may beobtained remotely and viewed as described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/753,863 to Melick, et al, herein incorporated in itsentirety by referenced.

As an example, enhanced electronic documents can display and transmittagged video bar codes on-line using an Internet web page, or email.Once the bar code reader has captured the bar coded data from a computermonitor, laptop, television, cell phone, PDA, etc. it can be input intoany software application on any operating system without the use ofmiddle-ware. Optionally, in a facility that has wireless access pointson its wide area network (WAN), or local area network (LAN), theseenhanced electronic documents with tagged video bar codes may beaccessed anywhere.

Data Tags

In the present invention, data tags can be used to facilitate datainterchange. Data tags may be an integral part of the source data, whichcan be used to facilitate the input of data into an electronic document.Primarily in the present invention, data tags are an integral part ofthe data that has been summed up as one or more 1D and/or 2D bar codesby an electronic document or related software, firmware, or hardwareapplication, in order to facilitate data interchange to target softwareapplications and/or devices. Also, data tags may be used by the targetsoftware application and/or target device to facilitate variousactivities by target software application and/or target device.

Proprietary Tags

As an example of proprietary data tags, Chart 1 contains the actualtagged demographic information contained in a 2D bar code displayed onthe back of an Iowa driver's license.

CHART 1 Tagged Data From A State Of lowa Driver's License 2D Bar CodeScan Tagged Data Tag Data Element DABSMITH DAB SMITH DACJOHN DAC JOHNDADDAVID DAD DAVID DAL101 MAIN STREET DAL 101 MAIN STREET DANCEDARRAPIDS DAN CEDAR RAPIDS DAOIA DAO IA DAP52401 DAP 52401

The proprietary tags in the above table provide the key to decoding thetagged data contained in a string.

XML Tags

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is an open standard that is a subset ofSGML (Standardized General Markup Language). The term “XML” has come tomean a whole family of related standards.

XML was developed to overcome the shortcomings of HTML (Hypertext MarkupLanguage) which much of the data on the Internet is tagged in. HTMLdescribes how data is structured on a Web page. To view content createdin HTML, you must generally load an entire Web page, even if you justwant one little piece of information on the page. XML allows people tochop data into smaller pieces, label them, and make them available onthe network. That way, an intelligent software program can reach overthe Internet and retrieve just the information wanted—say, movie timesor item numbers—without having to load an entire Web page. That shouldalso make data more accessible from devices such as handheld computersand cell phones, which tend to have slower Internet connections andsmaller screens.

The elements of an XML document can be formally specified using a DTD(Document Type definition) just as SGML documents are specified. If aDTD exists for an XML document, XML parsers with the appropriateextensions can test the XML document against the DTD. A document thatpasses such a consistency and validation test is said to be valid. TheMicrosoft Internet Explorer 5 parser will validate an XML document.

Unlike SGML, an XML document does not have to have a companion DTDdocument. An XML document that does not have a DTD can be tested forconformance with the general requirements of XML. A document that passesthis lesser standard is said to be “well formed”. All XML parsers testto see that an XML document is well formed. The W3 Consortium requiresparsers to verify that a document is well formed and to fail to renderan XML document that fails that test.

XML is a hierarchical set of entities. An entity is one or moreelements. Elements can contain one or more attributes and text. XMLprovides a formal syntax that defines elements, attributes and text. Atthe syntax description level XML is deceptively simple when comparedwith a tag language like HTML. XML simply provides the container used tocreate a language like HTML. In and of itself it really does verylittle. For that reason it is easy to define and specify.

Data Sources for Electronic Documents

Electronic forms can receive tagged or untagged data input from sources,including, but not limited to keyboards, touch screens, voice, voicerecognition technology, computer-telephone interfaces, magnetic stripe,RFID tags, Smart Cards, electronic sensors, 3D bumpy bar codes, remotelyviewed or local 1D and/or 2D bar codes displayed on driver's licenses,national identification cards, social security cards, militaryidentification cards, company identification cards, business cards,financial transaction cards including, but not limited to, credit cards,check cards, and ATM cards, health plan identification cards, purchasereceipts, warranties, bills of lading, purchase orders, invoices, salesorders, insurance cards, statements of account, work orders, drawings,photographs, blueprints, packing lists, UCC forms, contracts, redemptioncoupons, newspapers, magazines, products, product packaging, vehicles,shipping containers, pallets, etc.

RFID

A source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic form may beradio frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID is well known in theart and is an automatic data capture (ADC) technology comprised of tags,which are microprocessors, and fixed or mobile scanners known asreaders, or interrogators. RFID chips consist of three basic types;read-only, write-only, or read-write. Interrogators read and/or writedata from RFID chips via low power radio frequency (RF) signals. Thedata captured by an interrogator can be transferred to a host computervia wire or wireless communication links. An RFID tag may be either anactive or passive type. Active type RFID chips are powered by a battery,whereas passive type RFID chips are powered by RF energy generated by aninterrogator. RFID systems may operate on one of several frequencies,which include, but are not limited to 125-134 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 420-450MHz, 868-915 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. RFID tags, which include taggeddata, used in the present invention can be of an open standard type, ora proprietary standard.

To add a level of security, an RFID circuit may be printed directly on atag using technology developed by a company, such as Cypak. Such an RFIDtag printed on a self-destructing material would destroy the RFIDcircuitry and render the tag useless.

Magnetic Stripe

Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic formmay be via a magnetic stripe. Currently, most financial transactioncards use magnetic stripes to capture, store, and access informationrelevant to a particular financial transaction card. The AmericanNational Standards Institute standard, ANSI X4.16, “American NationalStandard for Financial Services-Financial Transaction Cards-MagneticStripe Encoding”, defines the physical, chemical, and magneticcharacteristics of the magnetic stripe on the card. The standard definesa minimum and maximum size for the stripe, and the location of the threedefined encoding tracks. (Some cards have a fourth, proprietary track.)Track 1 is encoded at 210 bits per inch, and uses a 6-bit coding of a64-element character set of numerics, alphabet (one case only), and somespecial characters. Track 1 can hold up to 79 characters, six of whichare reserved control characters. Included in these six characters is aLongitudinal Redundancy Check (LRC) character, in order that a cardreader can detect most read failures. Data encoded on track 1 includespersonal account number (PAN), country code, full name, expiration date,and “discretionary data”. Of course, the discretionary data is anythingthe issuer wants it to be and can be tagged for use with the presentinvention. Track 1 was originally intended for use by airlines, but manyAutomatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are now using it to personalize promptswith a user's name and a user's language of choice. Some creditauthorization applications are starting to use track 1 as well.

Track 2 is encoded at 75 bits per inch, and uses a 4-bit coding of theten digits. Three of the remaining characters are reserved asdelimiters, two are reserved for device control, and one is leftundefined. In practice, the device control characters are seldom used.Track 2 can hold up to 40 characters, including an LRC. Data encoded ontrack 2 includes personal account number (PAN), country code (optional),expiration date, and discretionary data. Again, on this track thediscretionary data could be tagged for use with the present invention.In practice, the country code is seldom used by United States issuers.Later revisions of this standard added a qualification code that definesthe type of the card (debit, credit, etc.) and limitations on its use.As an example, American Express (AMEX) includes an issue date in thediscretionary data. Track 2 was originally intended for creditauthorization applications. However, track 2 is commonly used by ATMsand has a personal identification number (PIN) offset encoded in thediscretionary data. The PIN offset is usually derived by running the PINthrough an encryption algorithm with a secret key. This allows ATMs toverify a PIN when the host is offline, generally allowing restrictedaccount access.

Track 3 uses the same density and coding scheme as track 1. The contentsof track 3 are defined in ANSI X9.1, “American NationalStandard—Magnetic Stripe Data Content for Track 3”. There is a slightcontradiction in this standard, in that it allows up to 107 charactersto be encoded on track 3, while X4.16 only gives enough physical roomfor 105 characters. Actually, there is over a quarter of an inch on eachend of the magnetic stripe that is unused, so therefore there issufficient room for the data. In practice, that many characters areseldom used. The original intent was for track 3 to be a read/writetrack (tracks 1 and 2 are intended to be read-only) for use by ATMs. Itcontains information needed to maintain account balances on the carditself. Track 3 is rarely used for this purpose, because it is easy todefraud. Track 3 could be used to contain tagged data which could beused by the present invention.

Other standards for magnetic stripe include, but are not limited to, ISOMagnetic Stripe Card Standards 7810, 7811-1, 7811-2, 7811-3, 78-11-4,7811-5, 7811-6, and 7813.

MICR

Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic formmay be via magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) technology.Magnetic ink character recognition is a character recognition systemthat uses special ink and characters. A document that contains magneticink is read by passing it through a MICR reader, which magnetizes theink and then translates the magnetic information into characters.

MICR technology is most widely used by banks to read the numbers encodedat the bottom of a check.

OCR

Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic formmay be via optical character recognition (OCR) technology.

OCR has been employed to speed the collection of human readable data, inthe form of special optical character fonts, from scanned paper forms.Even though OCR speeds the data collection process, it is still anexpensive method due to the error-checking required to insure thatcorrect data has been captured and input.

Optical character recognition (OCR) was one of the earliest Auto IDtechnologies used in retail applications in the mid-1980's. Today, OCRis currently part of resurgence because of improved reading equipmentthat is much more accurate, and recognizes a wider range of type stylesthan earlier equipment.

OCR is typically used to read selected areas of text (as opposed to textrecognition software that process full pages of text). OCR is bothhuman- and machine-readable and suited for use with account numbers orshort data strings.

OCR readers scan the data in much the same way bar code scanners do:either by moving the document past the scanner or moving the scannerover the document. The scan produces a “picture” of the text that isthen analyzed for characteristic features. Features are then matched tospecific letters or numbers for output.

ICR

Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic formmay be via intelligent character recognition (ICR) technology.

ICR has been employed to speed the collection of human readable data, inthe form of handwriting and machine printed or typed characters, fromscanned paper forms. Even though ICR speeds the data collection process,it is still an expensive method due to the error-checking required toinsure that correct data has been captured and input.

3D Bumpy Bar Codes

The present invention previously described the use of 1D and 2D taggedprinted or video bar codes as a means for interchanging dataefficiently. Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to anelectronic form may be via what is commonly known as a bumpy bar code.Bumpy bar code technology uses 3D marks, which can be placed onvirtually any metal, plastic, rubber, or composite surface. These marksare expressed by highs and lows in surface height, rather thanvariations in black and white, as is the case with traditional barcoding. To read the mark, a bumpy bar code reader illuminates the barcode with a laser, captures the reflected image in a two-dimensionalCharge-coupled Device (CCD). A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is used toanalyze the angular displacement between the laser and CCD array, andallows detection of the differences in height across the bumpy bar code.

Data Obtained Via Voice Recognition Technology

Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic formmay be via voice recognition technology. Tagged voice data may be inputvia XML tagged voice recognition technology known as XVR, or XML VoiceResponse. XVR applications use recorded audio prompts and voicerecognition to convey and gather information. XVR is the integration oftraditional voice phone calls, automated Interactive Voice Responseapplications, voice recognition, with XML technology, which includespecific languages for this application, which include, but are notlimited to, Voice XML and CCXML. XVR provides comfortable, anytime,anywhere access to information from any telephone.

Data Obtained Via Microfilm and Microfiche

Microfilm is an analog storage medium for books, periodicals, legaldocuments and engineering drawings. Its most standard form is a roll ofblack and white 35 mm photographic film. Another form, more common forengineering drawings, is a Hollerith punch card that mounts a singleexposure. Most microfilm media have a digital indexing system exposed onthe edge of each image, but these data are not required to use themicrofilm, but rather to support automated retrieval systems. Microfilmis not the most compact analog microform in wide use.

The microfilm medium has numerous advantages:

-   -   First, it is compact, with far smaller storage costs than paper        documents. Generally, a year of a periodical in microfilm form        takes 10% of the space and 3% of the weight of its paper        version.    -   Second, it is lower cost than a standard subscription. Most        microfilm services get a bulk discount on reproduction rights,        and have lower reproduction costs than a comparable amount of        printed paper.    -   Third, it is a stable archival form. Most library microfilms use        polyester with silver-halide dyes in hard gelatin, with an        estimated life of 500 years in air-conditioning. In tropical        climates with high humidity, fungus eats the gelatin used to        hold silver-halide. In the tropics, diazo-based systems with        shorter archival lives (20 years) are preferable, because they        have polyester or epoxy surfaces.    -   Fourth, since it is analog (an actual image of the original        data), it is easy to view. Unlike digital media, the data format        is instantly comprehensible to persons literate in the language;        the only additional equipment that is needed is a simple        magnifying glass. This reduces the possibility of obsolescence.

The medium has numerous disadvantages:

-   -   The principal disadvantage of microfilm is that the image is too        small to read with the naked eye. Special readers are required        to project full-size images on a ground-glass screen or a flat        reading surface.    -   Hard-copy reproduction: A conventional photocopier cannot        reproduce the images and a special combined scanner/printer is        required. Libraries using microfilm often have a very limited        number of these viewers that can produce a photocopy of an        image, for a nominal fee.    -   Storage space: Shelf space is required to maintain an efficient        archive as well as a safe and secure storage environment.    -   Actual reproduction: the microfilm itself can only be reproduced        a limited number of times, while digital media regenerate and        often include error detection and correction schemes.

Microfilm and Microfiche Uses

Systems that mount microfilm images in punch cards have been widely usedfor archival storage of engineering information.

For example, when airlines demand archival engineering drawings tosupport purchased equipment (in case the vendor goes out of business),(as of 1999) they normally specified punch-card-mounted microfilm withan industry-standard indexing system punched into the card. This permitsautomated reproduction, as well as permitting mechanical card-sortingequipment to sort and select microfilm drawings.

Hollerith-mounted microfilm is roughly 3% of the size and space ofconventional paper or vellum engineering drawings. Some militarycontracts around 1980 began to specify digital storage of engineeringand maintenance data because the expenses were even lower thanmicrofilm, but these programs are now finding it difficult to purchasenew readers for the old formats.

Microfiche is more compact than microfilm it is normally used to providea comprehensive research library in institutions (such as small collegelibraries) that could not otherwise afford the floor space. It wasinvented in 1961 by Carl O. Carlson an employee of the National CashRegister Co. The patent was issued in 1965.

Each microfiche card holds about 100-130 pages depending on the size ofthe original. A library of 20,000 microfiche, 10,000-20,000 books, fitsin a cabinet about 1.5×0.5×2 meters. Some companies specialize inproviding such libraries to institutions.

Microfiche is normally used to keep copies of books, and sometimes forperiodicals and newspapers. Its most standard form is a clear plasticcard, about 10 cm (4 in) by 15 cm (6 in). Usually the title of the workis in visible lettering along one edge. The most common reduction ratiois 24×, with 7 rows of 14 page images each fitting on a singlemicrofiche. Some microfiche have a digital indexing system exposed onthe edge of the card, or each image. This data is not required to usethe microfiche, but rather to support automated retrieval systems.Microfiche is not as widely used as microfilm.

The medium has numerous advantages:

-   -   It is compact, with far smaller storage costs than paper        documents. Generally, a book or a year of a periodical fits on        one fiche and takes 0.05% of the space and weight of the paper        work.    -   It is lower cost than a paper copy. Most microfiche services get        a bulk discount on reproduction rights, and have lower        reproduction costs than a comparable amount of printed paper ($5        per fiche in 2003).    -   It is a stable archival form. Most library microfiche use        polyester with silver-halide dyes in hard gelatin, with an        estimated life of 500 years in air-conditioning. In tropical        climates with high humidity, fungus eats the gelatin used to        bind the silver-halide. In the tropics, diazo-based systems with        lower archival lives (20 years) are preferable, because they        have polyester or epoxy surfaces.    -   Since it is analog (an actual image of the original data), it is        easy to view. Unlike digital media, the data format is instantly        comprehensible to persons literate in the language; the only        additional equipment that is needed is a simple magnifying        glass. This reduces the possibility of obsolescence.

There are also some disadvantages of the medium:

-   -   The principal disadvantage of microfiche is that the image is        too small to read with the naked eye. Libraries must use special        readers that project full-size images on a ground-glass screen.    -   A significant disadvantage is that when stored in the        highest-density drawers, it is easy to misfile a fiche, which is        thereafter unavailable. Some libraries therefore keep the        microfiche cabinet in a restricted area, and fetch fiches on        demand. Some fiche services use lower-density drawers with        labeled pockets for each card.    -   Another disadvantage is that a conventional photocopier cannot        reproduce the images.        Libraries using microfiche often have a few viewers that can        produce a photocopy of an image, for a nominal fee.    -   The final disadvantage is that microfiche can only be reproduced        a limited number of times, while data stored on digital media        does not degenerate and control software often include error        detection and correction schemes.    -   The present invention's documents can be stored as analog        documents on microfilm and/or microfiche. The analog data being        preserved can also be represented as digital information in the        form of one or more tagged and/or un-tagged bar codes. Thus the        present invention can use microfilmed and/or microfiched bar        coded documents as sources of data to feed into an e-Form, or        become the targeted storage medium of the present invention's        forms that summarize data as one or more tagged and/or un-tagged        bar codes.

Devices

Bar code readers of one of the following types: CCD, imagers, laserscanners may be hand-held devices, or incorporated into SDIO cards thatcan be connected to a cell phone or PDA, or integrated into devices suchas, but not limited to, a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc. Inaddition, bar code scanners can be incorporated into replaceable batterypacks for a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, etc. Also, a bar code scannercan be incorporated into a sled that is meant to be used with a cellphone, PDA, smart phone, etc. This list is meant to be representative,but not exhaustive.

Data Targets for Electronic Documents

Data targets that can receive the tagged information summed up on anelectronic document in the form of one or more 1D and/or 2D bar codescan be captured from either a printed version of the electronicdocument, or a video displayed version of the electronic document. Thevideo bar code may come from either a local, or remotely viewed source.The captured tagged data string is parsed; the data tags are used toroute and/or input and/or exchange data into a variety of data targetsincluding software applications, such as, but not limited to, adatabase, a spreadsheet, a web page, a word processor, anotherelectronic document, etc. The tags may remain with the output data, oralternatively may be stripped from the data by the target application.

The tagged data captured from one or more 1D and/or 2D bar code(s) in anelectronic document, either directly off a video display or from aprinted version of the document, can be output to a data target devicethat is capable of receiving and/or using tagged data, such as but notlimited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer,OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-topbox, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch,telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA,pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a business user orconsumer will create electronic generated documents which includeone-dimensional, tagged bar coded information, create specific stylesheets to define bar coded data tags, publish documents with tagged barcoded information, scan video displayed documents using a high scan rateCCD or linear imager, or scan printed documents using any type ofapplicable bar code reader to capture tagged bar coded information,cache tagged bar coded information, parse the tagged bar codedinformation and applicable software applications, strip the bar codeddata tags, and input stripped bar coded data into the applicablesoftware application as shown in FIG. 1.

Initially, a user of the present invention will make a decision 101 totag or not tag bar codes in an electronic document. If the tagged barcodes are required, the user will create a style sheet file 102. Anexample of a style sheet used by a sender is shown in FIG. 3. The stylesheet will be capable of automatically generating an identifier, such asthe number 12345 as shown in FIG. 3, or the sender may choose tomanually assign a specific identifier. The style sheet identifier is ahyperlink to the style sheet file 102, which is used by electronicdocument “A” 103, to decode tagged bar coded data.

Style sheet file 102, is stored in a library 110. Library 110 may use alocal hard drive 111, or network hard drive 113 to store this file.Optionally, style sheet file 102 may be e-mailed to a selected user 112.

A style sheet file 102 is used to create an electronic document “A” 103with tagged bar codes. An example of document “A” 103 is depicted inFIG. 2 using software such as MICROSOFT EXCEL or WORD on a PC to createan electronic document. In the present invention, such software createsdocuments that contain electronic representations of bar codedinformation through the use of bar code fonts which reside on the localcomputer and are commonly available today from companies such as Azalea,TAL Technologies and Wasp Bar Code.

If the decision 101 does not require data tagging and parsing, anelectronic document “A” 103 is created with un-tagged bar codes.Electronic document “A” 103 is posted 104, to a library 110. Library 110may use a local hard drive 111, or network hard drive 113 to storeelectronic document “A” 103. Optionally, electronic document “A” 103 maybe e-mailed to a selected user 112.

A receiver 121 opens electronic document “A” 103 in a window on theircomputer. The receiver 121 also opens electronic document “B” (as shownin FIG. 7) 122, in a separate window on their computer in order toreceive bar coded data contained in electronic document “A” 103.

A decision 123 is made to determine if electronic documents “A” 103 and“B” 122 uses a style sheet file 102. Integrated software, such asIntuit's Quicken, QuickBooks, QuickBooks Pro, etc. would incorporateparsing software, such as SAX commonly available from companies such asStellent and, according to the present invention, and use style sheetsin two ways. In the first method, a common style sheet is used by bothsender and receiver. When a common style sheet is used, the style sheetidentifier is scanned 124 in document “A” 104 in order to launch thehyperlink to open the style sheet file 102, stored in library 110.

In the second method, two style sheets each using different “functionkey tags” to represent the same data fields can be used. When twodifferent style sheets are used in step 124, the parsing and data cacheapplication will allow the user to scan the sender's style sheetidentifier and also the receiver's style sheet identifier (as shown inFIG. 4) and cross-correlate them as shown in FIG. 6.

In step 125, the style sheet file is loaded into the parsing and datacache application of the integrated software.

In step 126, the receiver scans tagged bar codes in electronic document“A” 103. The scanned tagged bar coded data is parsed and sent to a datacache, as shown in FIG. 6. In step 127, the parsing and data cacheapplication use logic and computer routines to identify the scanned barcoded data by “function key tag”, match the scanned bar coded data tothe appropriate field in electronic document “B” 122, strip the“function key tag”, and input the stripped bar coded data into theappropriate field in electronic document “B” 122.

In step 123, if the decision is made that electronic documents “A” 103and “B” 122 do not require a style sheet, the receiver in step 129,scans the un-tagged bar coded information and manually chooses theappropriate field to input the data into electronic document “B” 122.

In step 128, the receiver makes a decision to scan another document barcoded electronic document, or to end the bar code data interchange.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a business user orconsumer will create electronic generated documents which includetwo-dimensional, tagged bar coded information, create specific stylesheets to define bar coded data tags, publish documents with tagged barcoded information, scan video displayed or printed documents with a highscan rate LED bar code reader to capture tagged bar coded information,cache tagged bar coded information, parse the tagged bar codedinformation, strip the bar coded data tags, and input stripped bar codeddata into the applicable software application as shown in FIG. 1.

All the steps described in the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention apply to the alternate embodiment of the present invention.The difference between the two embodiments is the type of data taggingused to identify data. For instance, 2D bar codes may use the GeneralMotors common shipping label format, GM 1724-A, or another industryspecific format for tagged information.

The sender's field tags can be identified using tags such as XML tags or“function key tags” F01, F02, F03, etc., which relate to “F1, F2, F3”respectively on a standard computer keyboard, or proprietary data suchas, but not limited to those encoded in the 2D bar code on a stateissued drivers license, like the State of Iowa. As an example, twocompanies might agree to exchange data for various customers containedin their respective databases: first name, last name, and age. Using theappropriate “function key tag” in the style sheet to identify particulardata elements, the two companies would agree the “function key tag” forfirst name data is F01, the “function key tag” for last name data isF02, and the “function key tag” for age data is F03. The style sheetwould be programmable on-the-fly using the style sheet to tag datafields with the appropriate “function key tag”. The style sheet wouldalso automatically tag the data elements from the database with theappropriate “function key tag”.

This embodiment of the present invention greatly reduces the number oftransaction errors and greatly increases the speed of data interchange.

Data elements not identified by the same “function keys” could be usedby multiple users, but this adds another step in the transactionprocess, and introduces the possibility of more input errors.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of a style sheet with data tags andfield names contained in a two-dimensional bar code, such as thatcommonly found on a driver's license.

FIG. 8 is an example of two-dimensional bar code data tags from adriver's license in which the last name “Smith” is tagged with theletters “DAB”, the data tag for the first name “John” is the letters“DAC”, etc.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of the parsed and cached data, asshown in FIG. 8, ready for input into electronic document “B”, step 127.

The present invention provides for numerous uses of tagged bar codes,including numerous uses of style sheets used with tagged bar codes. Forexample, the present invention contemplates that the IRS and stategovernments can use tagged bar codes and style sheets in exchanginginformation with taxpayers and each other.

An electronic document, such as a PDF tax form, is created with a numberof fillable forms to be used by a taxpayer or his or her tax preparer orother user. The user enters information into the fillable form fieldsand a bar code is generated based on the information contained in thefillable form fields. The bar code is a part of the document so thatwhen the document is printed, the bar code is printed and the bar codecan be scanned from the paper document. This is useful becauseinformation acquired through scanning a bar code is generally morereliable and less costly than manual data entry or OCR.

The present invention allows the bar code to be represented in theelectronic document through use of tags. The tags can, for example, beXML tags that specify field names and field values. Software for usingthe electronic document interprets the tags to display the bar codes,and preferably allows for updating the form fields and then updating thebar codes.

Preferably, the entire electronic document or the form field informationcan be stored or sent so that the information contained within the formfields can be extracted. It should be appreciated that because of thetagged bar codes, the document allows for improved data interchangeregardless of whether the document is in an electronic form or paperform. Thus, in the case of a tax form, the data in the form fields canbe electronically sent when filing electronically. Alternatively, apaper tax form can be submitted. The bar code on the paper tax form isscanned to acquire the data from the form fields.

Because the use of tagged bar codes allows for XML and style sheets tobe used, the present invention contemplates numerous variations. Forexample, a tagged bar code placed on a document does not need tocorrespond to data fields on the same document. Instead, the tagged barcode can correspond to data fields on a separate document. Thus, forexample, when preparing a federal income tax return there can bemultiple forms involved, including various schedules. The presentinvention would allow for a tagged bar code representing data in formfields of one document to be placed on a different document. Thus, forexample, a 1040 type tax form could include bar codes for each scheduleused. Thus, information from attached and supporting documents can beconsolidated to a single document. Such a practice can be advantageousfor a variety of reasons. For example, where the data is extracted fromthe document by scanning and decoding one or more bar codes, such apractice can reduce the number of pages that must be scanned andalleviate paper handling issues such as lost or mismatched documentswhich can occur if a number of related documents are submitted together.

The use of style sheets also allows for information associated with oneform to be easily interchanged with information associated with anothertype of form. For example, information on a federal tax form can beinterchanged with information on a state tax form even though thefederal government and the state government choose to use differentfield names. The process described in FIG. 1 illustrates the methodologyused. It should be apparent that because information from document A canbe placed in document B, that a bar code representing data fields fromdocument A can be placed in document B. Such a bar code may also includeadditional data fields not present in document A.

Video Bar Code Used for Data Interchange Examples

A system utilizing tagged video bar codes and the present invention'stechnology may be used to show real-time product inventory, placeorders, route the order through an accounting system, make shippingarrangements, and forward the user a report. The process of executing anorder online requires a sequence of events to take place. A customer maywish to replenish his/her inventory, without passing through severalsystems. Retailers may utilize tagged video bar codes in web sites,WebTV, television or over other mediums to index products and servicesin the form of an online catalog. Suppliers, who have traditionally beendependent on middleware and/or third party administrators to accessand/or execute orders, will be empowered to access such requests. Taggedvideo bar codes also allow various enabled devices to execute orderplacement, processing, and fulfillment simply by using this universalmedium.

When used in conjunction with a bar coded financial card, as disclosedin U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/276,203 to Melick, et al, thetransaction becomes instantaneous. Currently, most companies rely onexpensive administrators to process electronic transactions, due in partto the complex systems necessary to manage this process and the varyingdegree of sophistication between trading partners. Tagged video barcodes are not constrained by these considerations, and offer universalaccess by simply including them in any digital transmission.

Data entry continues to challenge companies as smaller suppliers andvenders continue to use paper-based systems. These companies, whenequipped with tagged video bar codes may engage in collaborativecommerce while data entry and interface considerations are minimized inhost company systems. HTML transmissions, when wrapped in e-mail offereasy-to-use, familiar, professional invoicing and order processingcapabilities for every user.

Companies, such as UPS, offer online document exchange services withvarious encryption techniques requiring a higher degree of security intransmission will now have a multitude of options available to them.Last year, UPS executed over 10 billion online document exchanges at afraction of the cost associated with paper transactions.

Applications within the medical industry are numerous, from electroniccommerce between insurance carriers, HMO's, and medical practitioners todemographic data relating to patients, etc. all requiring a unique tagor identifier. Currently, medical practitioners are overwhelmed withreports, regulations, files, drug prescriptions, and other patientinformation that requires great care in management. Not too dissimilarfrom a retailer who is managing thousands of stock keeping units, theconsequences of mismanagement in the medical industry is significant.

Medical practitioners frequently find it necessary to exchange criticalpatient data with other practitioners, pharmacies, and hospitals in atimely and accurate fashion. While not an issue within networkedsystems, the medical industry has not made investments in infrastructurenecessary to enable electronic commerce. Currently, physicianspredominately use e-Mail as their primary means of communication (55%),while only 6% use e-Mail and the Internet to transport clinicalinformation. The primary issue, according to a Harris Interactive study,has been the lack of this infrastructure investment, which has left theindustry years behind other sectors. TVBC technology offers to leverageoff the existing infrastructure maintained in these practices, andenable them with electronic data interchange.

As an example, in this application Document “A” 103 would be anelectronic patient's chart containing bar coded information. Document“A” 103 would be available on any computer display in the hospital. As adoctor makes his daily rounds, he would use an enabled device to captureapplicable bar coded information displayed on the patient's electronicchart for billing and record updates, and download the tagged bar codedinformation to Document “B” 122 on his disparate computer informationsystem located in his office.

Office visits that result in a prescription to be filled are currentlyphoned to a pharmacy or the patient is given an order form. This entireprocess may be streamlined electronically with tagged video bar codescontaining basic demographic data from order placement to the label thatappears on a prescription. In doing so, the error rate associated withfulfilling orders would be eliminated, greater controls would exist inthe distribution of drugs, and reorders may be triggered without dataentry.

As an example, in this application Document “A” 103 would be anelectronic prescription containing bar coded information. Document “A”103 would be e-mailed to the pharmacy with bar coded informationrelating to the patient information and medication required. Thepharmacist would use an enabled device to capture applicable bar codedinformation displayed on the patient's electronic prescription for inputinto Document “B” 122 on their disparate computer information system.

In financial, insurance, engineering, and law firms, there are largeamounts of paper and electronic documents being passed around daily. Theuser would benefit from the availability of these documents in afree-flowing system that could more effectively catalog and managedocuments across local networks. A document management system would usetagged video bar codes as a dynamic hyper-link to access various formsof data.

As an example, in a complicated legal preceding Document “A” 103 wouldbe various evidence or exhibits in graphic form which are bar coded inorder to launch the court overhead projection system. Document “B” 122,which are a lawyer's electronic trial notes, operate on a disparatecomputer system would contain tagged video bar codes which are linked tothe appropriate Document “A” 103.

Law enforcement agencies and our legal system are burdened withpopulating numerous standardized forms and reports, requiring uniqueidentifiers to tag and track evidentiary materials. This industry ismoving rapidly to bar coding documents, which is currently printed,tagged, and then filed. Tagged video bar codes offer to streamline thisprocess from automatic ticket generation to a free-flow of informationto courtrooms, law offices, police stations, and other agencies.

Currently, county and metro law enforcement agencies are unable toexchange information due to disparate systems and universal identifiers.

As an example, a city policeman would make an arrest. Document “A” 103would be the arrest report. The suspect is then taken to a county jailwhich operates on a disparate computer system. Electronic document “B”122 which is the prisoner's record would be completed with the aid oftagged video bar coded information contained in Document “A” 103. Fromhere the suspect would appear in court, and information contained onDocument's “A” 103 and “B” 122 would be captured and entered into yetanother disparate information system.

The financial industry relies on information generated from a widespectrum of sources to analyze, record, process, and reporttransactions. Some of these sources include transaction clearing houses,financial exchanges, news services, and research companies. Such systemsinclude The Dow Jones Telequote, Bloomberg, the Associated Press, ValueLine, and others electronic systems that transmit data across a videomonitor. Investment and financial professionals utilize these servicesto retrieve, process, and manipulate this data in proprietaryapplications for analysis. All of these systems utilize a one-way meansof data transmission, serving as a reporting service verses aninteractive two-way system.

As an example, Document “A” 103 would be a financial report from acompany such as Dow Jones Telequote or Bloomberg, which included taggedvideo bar codes. Document “B” 122 would be an order placement formrunning on a disparate information system. An enabled device wouldcapture tagged video bar coded information from Document “A” 103 andinput the information into Document “B” 122.

While many larger institutions have customized their accounting andgeneral ledger systems, a majority of their trading partners remain ondisparate systems. In addition, small-to-medium size companies relyalmost exclusively on outsourcing the accounting function or acquirevarious prepackaged systems. Intuit the maker of Quicken and QuickBooksdominate the prepackaged accounting software market with an estimated80% share. By utilizing tagged video bar codes with any e-mail system,basic demographic data and billing information becomes a collaborativecommerce process, without the errors associated with data entry. Byusing tagged video bar codes vendors will be able to reduce their costsassociated with traditional paper-based systems by converting toelectronic forms using tagged video bar codes, develop E-commercecapabilities, and speed up the payment process. Using QuickBooks or asimilar accounting system with tagged video bar codes, allow the user toget one step closer to a paperless office, reduces the time-to-processroutine procedural tasks in an error free manner, and minimizes theuncertainties associated with outstanding un-entered bills and invoices.Tagged video bar codes offer accounting department managers a new methodto streamline the entire accounting process. As an example, ABC Companywould use electronic document “A” 103, which would be an electronicinvoice containing bar coded information. This document could be postedelectronically for payment by XYZ Company. XYZ Company would use anenabled device to capture the pertinent bar coded data from Document “A”103 and input into their Document “B” 122 which is a check writing formon their disparate computer system.

The insurance industry relies on sophisticated hardware and softwaresystems for claims processing, billing, and information retrieval toconduct their day-to-day business. Processing centers, and the costsassociated therewith represent a significant investment on the part ofthese companies and lack flexibility as it relates to capturing,processing, storing, and interchanging information. Insurance companiesengage in large volumes of data entry, and spend millions of dollarsevery year on interfaces, populating forms, applications, etc.Applications within this industry are not unlike other applicationsdiscussed above.

The United States federal government, state governments, and variousother public agencies maintain large databases of information that arefrequently accessed by various departments, other government agencies,and the private sector. One example relates to the property taxassessment and collection division of county governments. Mostfrequently the assessment and collection divisions rely on the sameinformation for different purposes in disparate information systems.Consequently, this requires information to be entered and re-entered byeach division. Tagged video bar codes would allow relevant informationto be easily exchanged between divisions without the need for middlewareor manual re-entry. Also, tagging such documents with bar codes providea unique tag for management control purposes, and allow various agenciesdependent on such data to share these public documents as described inother applications above.

As companies rely more and more on the Internet for marketing ande-commerce transactions, it becomes increasingly difficult to add ordelete information and make changes to on-line catalogs, databases, andInternet commerce forms. The use of tagged video bar codes virtuallyeliminates input errors, is less time consuming, requires fewerpersonnel, and reduces the complexity of integrating various aspects ofa company's web site.

As newer software systems replace older ones, legacy systems areincreasingly a problem within organizations. Companies have a difficulttime getting their mainframe to “talk” with their DOS system, and inturn have trouble getting that data to “talk” with their new Windows™systems. Video bar coding information in legacy systems would save a lotof time and expense coding systems to convert legacy data.

Tagged video bar codes offer users a multitude of options that areeasy-to-use and understand, bring new functionality to existingpractices, and offer the first universal means by which to communicate,through a multitude of devices.

For example, an image of a printed or video bar code can be captured ata remote location using a web cam, security cam, phone cam, etc. Theimage is then transmitted over a network, such as, but not limited to,the Internet. The image is received and viewed at a remote locationusing a device, such as, but not limited to, a PC or TV screen. The barcode being viewed is captured by either printing the bar code fordecoding by a bar code scanner, or capturing the bar coded data off thevideo display using a bar code scanner capable of reading a VBC. Thismethod of viewing a remote bar code combined with the presentinvention's use of tagged bar codes is useful

One skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure willrecognize that all the above tagged video bar code examples could alsobe accomplished using tagged printed bar codes to accomplish the samegoals described in the present invention.

It is important to note that electronic documents may be intelligent andcapable of tagging data suitable for data interchange. Alternatively,electronic documents may interact with another software applicationand/or hardware device in order to tag data in the form of one or more1D and/or 2D bar codes suitable for data interchange.

It is also important to note that the electronic document that data isinput to may be the same document that displays one or more 1D and/or 2Dbar codes suitable for facilitating data interchange. Alternatively,another electronic document or hardware device may display one or more1D and/or 2D bar codes suitable for facilitating data interchange.

Target Devices that can Receive Tagged Data

The previous disclosure of the present invention has focused on PCs andback-end servers as the primary target devices that can receive, decode,and use tagged bar coded data. To one skilled in the art it is obviousthat other target devices could be configured to receive and use taggedbar coded data, which includes, but is not limited to, tablets, PDAs,cell phones, TV set-top boxes, RFID readers, RFID interrogators, barcode readers, microfilmers, microfichers, bar code printers, cellphones, touch screens, magnetic stripe readers, OCR readers, MICRreaders, bar code readers integrated in devices such as, but not limitedto digital cameras, cell phones, a computer mouse, keyboards, ATMmachines, intelligent routers, switches, and hubs (Formerly Sarvega nowCisco) that can use XML to route and switch data packets that canrepresent 2D tagged bar coded eForms described in the present invention.

Uses of Various Embodiments of the Present Invention

Google Ads may be enhanced using one or more tagged and/or un-tagged barcodes included in the advertisement, which would facilitate an easytransfer of data.

A simple check may be enhanced using one or more tagged and/or un-taggedbar codes to encode additional information that MICR is not capable of.

The present invention's bar codes can be used as a chit, or bar codedmoney, to pay for a subscription for a publication such as the WallStreet Journal, which is honored at any location for the home-deliveryprice.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of “Dial-A-Web Page”as a shortcut method to access web pages that may or may not includetagged and/or un-tagged data summed up as a bar code. The “Dial-A-WebPage” method uses a web-based server containing a database that isaccessed using a telephone number, then the database is queried usingeither the telephone number of a company or individual that are linkedwith a website that contains one or more web-pages. The cellphone orwireless VoIP user can more easily surf the web using their device byusing a telephone number, and then subsequently navigating a websiteusing a number-based menu. Also, a specific web page within a websitecan be accessed using its own telephone number and number-basednavigation menu. In addition to accessing website and/or specific webpages using a telephone number, numerical aids such a street addressesand/or zip codes can be used as an aid in the access of websites and/orspecific web-pages. Also, the “Dial-A-Web-Page” database can be accessedusing an icon provided by a cellphone service provider. In addition, the“Dial-A-Web-Page” database can be accessed using voice commands. Also,the “Dial-A-Web-Page” database can be accessed through the cellphone orwireless VoIP device's browser. See FIG. 22A for a representation of thecurrent situation. See FIGS. 22B and 22C for a graphic description ofthe “Dial-A-Web-Page” feature of the present invention. In addition tousing telephone numbers to access web sites, 9 to 19 digit zip codes,which offer more granularity for location, which can be used to access awebsite. In addition, NAC codes can be used as an alpha numeric physicaladdressing scheme to web page cross-reference. A further series offeatures related to ANI, telephone numbers, and cross-referencedaddressing that can be added to the “Dial-A-Web-Page” is the informationcontained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,023 to Hamilton, et al, which is herebyincorporated in entirety by reference.

Another use of the present invention is as a HIPPA Compliant Fax System.

Another use of the present invention is the distribution of coupons,tickets, chits, e-money, etc, as one or more bar codes, which may or maynot be tagged. These bar codes may be read using CCD or imager type barcode scanners to capture bar coded information directly off a videodisplay or printed medium. A laser type bar code scanner can be used tocapture barcoded information off printed medium. In addition, cellphones may include a bar code scanner that is capable of reading a videoand or printed bar code, or only a printed bar code. In addition,several companies have enabled cell phone cameras to capture and decodebar codes.

Even though the Internet continues to shape the way in which order forgoods and services and related financial transactions occur betweenparties, with the likes of eForms and using checking and savingsaccounts, and debit and credit cards, there is a persistence ofindividuals or businesses that continue to pay for goods and services bywriting paper checks. The following is a short description of how thepresent invention can be used to enable the capture of order informationfrom a bar code enabled order form that has been completed as an eForm,encoded with one or more tagged and/or un-tagged 1D and/or 2D bar codes,and snail mailed with a check or cash. It should be understood that thevarious aspects of the present invention described herein can becombined in various ways, as would be apparent to one skilled in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure. It should also be appreciatedthat various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may be made.It is of course not possible to describe every conceivable combinationof components for purposes of describing the present invention. All suchpossible modifications are to be included within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention which is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

All references cited herein and all applications from which priority isclaimed are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A method of transmitting data from a first softwareapplication to a second software application, the method comprising:receiving a displayed portion of an electronic document associated withthe first software application, wherein the displayed portion isdisplayed on a video display associated with a first computing system,and further wherein the electronic document comprises a bar code;reading the bar code into bar coded data; decoding the bar coded datainto information; and using the information to populate a data fieldassociated with the second software application executing on a secondcomputing system.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first computingsystem and the second computing system are part of the same computingdevice.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving a displayed portionof an electronic document comprising a bar code includes the bar codeincorporated into the electronic document as one or more images.
 18. Themethod of claim 15 wherein decoding the bar coded data into informationcomprises decoding the bar coded data into data tags.
 19. The method ofclaim 15 further comprising, subsequent to decoding the bar coded datainto information, adding data tags to the information.
 20. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the information includes markup language data.
 21. Asystem of transmitting video displayed bar coded data from a firstsoftware application to a second software application, the systemcomprising: a memory and a processor; and a video display configured todisplay a portion of an electronic document such that the displayedportion is readable by a reader, the electronic document associated withthe first software application and comprising a bar code, wherein thereader is configured to— read the bar code into bar coded data; transferthe bar coded data to a decoder configured to decode the bar coded datainto information; and transfer the information to a distributorconfigured to populate a data field associated with the second softwareapplication.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the first softwareapplication executes on a first computing system and the second softwareapplication executes on a second computing system.
 23. The system ofclaim 22 wherein the reader is a component of the second computingsystem.
 24. The system of claim 23 wherein the second computing systemcomprises a camera and, at least prior to decoding the bar coded datainto information, the camera captures an image of the bar code in thedisplayed portion of the electronic document.
 25. The system of claim 22wherein the first computing system and the second computing system arepart of the same computing device.
 26. The system of claim 21 whereinthe bar coded data includes data tags.
 27. A computer-readable storagemedium storing instructions for bar coded data transmission from a firstsoftware application to a second software application, the instructions,when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operationscomprising: receiving a displayed portion of an electronic documentassociated with the first software application, the displayed portiondisplayed on a video display associated with a first computing system,the electronic document comprising a bar code; reading the bar code intobar coded data; decoding the bar coded data into information; and usingthe information to populate a data field associated with the secondsoftware application executing on a second computing system.
 28. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 27 wherein decoding the barcoded data into information is performed by the second computing system.29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 28 wherein the secondcomputing system comprises a camera and, at least prior to decoding thebar coded data into information, the camera captures an image of the barcode in the displayed portion of the electronic document.
 30. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 27 wherein the first computingsystem and the second computing system are part of the same computingdevice.
 31. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27 wherein thebar code is incorporated into the electronic document as an image. 32.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27 wherein the informationincludes data tags.
 33. A system of transmitting data between a firstsoftware application and a second software application, the systemcomprising: a memory and a processor; and means for displaying a portionof an electronic document such that the displayed portion is readable bya reader, the electronic document associated with the first softwareapplication and comprising a bar code, wherein the reader is configuredto read the bar code into bar coded data, transfer the bar coded data toa decoder configured to decode the bar coded data into information, thedecoder further configured to transfer the information to a distributorconfigured to populate a data field associated with the second softwareapplication.
 34. The system of claim 33 wherein the first softwareapplication and the second software application are both executing on ashared computing device.